Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday refused to read too much into Virat Kohli’s long, lean career and hailed the batting maestro as the “greatest white-ball player” and a “once in a lifetime cricketer”. Kohli made a second century of the innings in the opening Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but then managed just 85 runs in the next seven innings. With seniors like Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma failing to deliver, India lost the series Down Under 1-3. “Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. To score 81 international centuries in his career is unbelievable. For me, he is perhaps the greatest white-ball player the world has ever seen,” Ganguly said during the cricket association. Congratulations Bengal (CAB) program for players in the state.
Reflecting on Kohli’s struggle after his Perth century, Ganguly even said that he was surprised to see him not building on that hundred in the rest of the series.
“I was really surprised the way he batted after the 100 in Perth. He had struggled before that but I thought after the 100 in Perth it would be a big series for him.
“But I think it happens. Every player has his weaknesses and strengths. You know, there’s no player in the world who doesn’t have that. It’s the way you adapt to your weaknesses when you play great bowlers over a period of time.” As Kohli’s poor form was a topic of discussion, Ganguly expressed confidence and said that he would return to his best in the three-match ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy that followed.
“He will score runs in this tournament in Indian conditions and I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in Virat Kohli and the England tour will be a big challenge for him.
“I’m not too worried about his form in the Champions Cup, because as I said, he’s probably the best white-ball player the world has seen for a long period of time.”
Al-Shami is second best after Bamra
Ganguly was also excited to see pacer Mohammed Shami back on his feet and back to full fitness after a long period of absence due to injury.
“I am happy to see Shami fit because I think he is probably the best bowler after (Jasprit) Bumrah in the country.
“I know he will be a bit nervous because he is playing cricket after a long time, especially with a knee injury, but the good thing is that he has played a lot for Bengal in domestic cricket, which will help him in the upcoming matches,” he said.
Shami will return to international action in the T20I series opener against England here on Wednesday.
Ganguly also supported the idea of Shami returning to Test cricket, saying: “He is as good as anyone in the world. Shami’s two-end Bumrah bowling is different from one-end Bumrah bowling. Both players are essential to each other’s success in Test cricket.”
There was a lot of criticism for Team India after their loss to Australia and Ganguly stressed the importance of focusing on performance and maintaining a strong mindset amid all the hype.
“There’s a lot at stake with sports these days, and there’s going to be negativity and opinions. As an athlete, you have to find a way to distance yourself from that,” he advised.
India are contenders for the Champions Trophy
Ganguly also said that India will be one of the contenders for the Champions Trophy, especially after finishing second in the 2023 ODI World Cup and clinching the T20 World Cup title last year.
“I know India haven’t had a great series in Australia, but if you look at the last two World Cups, the T20 World Cup India won unbeaten and the 50-over India lost the World Cup final.
“So, if you look at India’s performance in the last two World Cups, they have lost just one match, in about 20 of them. So, I think they are an exceptional white-ball team. For me, they will be favorites in the tournament.” Champions Cup.”
Rohit will be different when the Cup champion comes
Ganguly also backed struggling Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to return to his best in the Champions Trophy.
“Rohit Sharma in white-ball cricket is exceptional, and you will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts. As I said, (India) will be one of the contenders in the tournament.” However, Ganguly said India needs to work on their Test cricket with their next series in England next summer.
“When England come in July, they will have to work hard to play well there because the conditions are different. Red ball and swinging pitches, they will have to bat a little better than they did.” Ganguly said.
“I have always said that if you score 350-400 runs in the first innings of Test matches away from home, you will put yourself in a position to win Test matches.”
“Now if you come out with less than 200 points, you’re always fighting from behind. The reason they won in Perth is because they had 400-500 points on the board in the second round.”
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