Budding Indian cricketer Robin Bist was the proud recipient of a cricket bat signed by Australian Test skipper Ricky Ponting at a function on Tuesday.
Bist had been adjudged 'Player of the Series' during the recent Commonwealth School Under-16 cricket tournament between India, Australia and Malaysia held in New Delhi recently.
Presenting the bat, Bob Carr, Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales, said Bist had been honoured in recognition of his performance during the series, an official press release said.
"There can be no greater thrill for a young cricketer than to have a bat signed by the Captain of Australia," Carr said.
Ponting has made available several bats signed by him to be presented to emerging Asian players to encourage them to pursue their cricketing dreams, he added.