Ricky Ponting's captaincy journey began when he took over the reins of the One-Day International team in February 2002 from Steve Waugh.
But things changed after he took over the leadership role, ahead of a senior players like Shane Warne and star wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
The Tasmanian promised an aggressive, open style of leadership after he was appointed Australia's ODI captain, and he carried it into the Tests matches, after he took over the role from Steve Waugh in 2004.
His finest moment must surely be the 140 not out he scored in the 2003 World Cup final against India, which helped Australia successfully defend their crown.
Last year, Australia registered its first-ever Test series victory in India for 35 years. However, Ponting, who was out with a broken thumb, missed the third Test in Nagpur, which Australia won under the captaincy of Gilchrist to conquer what they called the 'Final Frontier'.
Ponting returned for the final Test in Mumbai, but Australia lost the match, and had to return home with a 2-1 series win.
His batting record is impressive: 6,950 runs in 88 Tests at 56.50, with 22 centuries and 27 half-centuries.
Under his captaincy, Australia have won 10 of the 13 Tests played. They are currently atop the rankings in both forms of the game, and likely to stay there for a long, long time.