In the aftermath of WTC Final, Sourav Ganguly concedes Virat Kohli relinquishing Test captaincy came as a surprise for the BCCI
Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has shared he was as surprised anyone else when he first heard Virat Kohli was stepping down from his role of India’s Test captain in early 2022 after the India tour of South Africa.In a recent interaction with Aaj Tak, the former India captain also agreed that Kohli had not been asked to step down as T20 captain ahead of the 2021 World Cup in UAE.“No (on the board’s preparedness on Kohli giving up Test captaincy). Not after the South Africa series. I don’t know (why he did so), only he can tell,” Ganguly said.
Kohli, who led India to the first World Test Championship Final in 2021, and a 2-1 series lead in England in 2021, had announced stepping down as Test captain ahead of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Shortly afterwards, Rohit Sharma would replace him as captain in both white ball formats. In early 2022, after India’s 2-1 series loss in South Africa, Kohli took to social media to announce that he would also step down from his role as Test captain.
On Sunday, the Rohit Sharma-led India would be bested Australia in the 2023 WTC Final at The Oval. When asked if Kohli could’ve led the team better in a game where India seemed on the backfoot from day one, Ganguly said, “There’s no point in saying that right now. Because the captain had left his role himself. There’s no point in talking about this now. The selectors had to appoint a captain.”
Ganguly also praised Rohit’s captaincy.
“At that time, Rohit Sharma looked the best alternate. He’s won five IPLs. Whenever he had been handed the opportunity to captain, like in the Asia Cup, he’s won. He was the best option. He’s led the team in the WTC Final as well this time around, even though we lost. We reached the World Cup semifinal, even though I didn’t play well. Before that (2021) we hadn’t even qualified (for the knockouts). I have my faith in Rohit. Only he and MS Dhoni have won the IPL five times. No one else.”
The former BCCI chief also stated that winning India’s premium franchise T20 tournament is tougher than winning the World Cup.
“It’s not that easy to win the IPL. It’s a very tough tournament. Winning an IPL is even more difficult than a World Cup. 14 games and then you get to feature in the playoffs. You can only become a champion after winning 17 games. In World Cup, you qualify in the semis after 4-5 games. I believe Rohit was the best option then and even is right now.”
With an ODI World Cup around the corner, Ganguly feels Rohit Sharma and Co are strong contenders for the title in a tournament that will be played in India.
“I want him (Rohit) to lead the team without any fear. Jo hoga, hoga. We have a World Cup six months later. A team that has Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah – we don’t know if he’ll be fit then – Shami, Siraj…that team will win some time. In my opinion….I have played with Rahul (Dravid) and have a lot of respect for him…he can take this team forward alongwith Rohit only. The only advice I have is, Khelo jaake bindaas,” Ganguly said.