Sourav Ganguly: Virat is one of my favourite captains

09/16/2016

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on India's current Test skipper Virat Kohli naming the Delhi lad as his favourite captain at the moment. Ganguly was also hopeful that the pitch at the Eden Gardens will play a good host for the second Test between Ind-NZ series.

When Sourav Ganguly took over the reins as the captain of the Indian cricket team in 2000, there were hardly any hopes for the team to do better. But the “God on the off-side” rewrote history books as the Test team, led by him in the 2001 Test series against Australia, scripted an incredible comeback after being invited to follow on and then went on to win the Test match. After winning the dream series, Ganguly never looked back. His leadership skills are still praised by his former team mates such as Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan who still rate him as their best captain. And Ganguly is in awe of another flamboyant leader that India is currently being led by- Virat Kohli. Expressing his admiration for the Delhi batsman, Gangulysaid, “Virat is one of my favourite captains at the present moment. He is a terrific player. In his short career so far he has done wonders for the country. Someone who when I look at him on the field is going to raise the value of the Indian cricket with his intensity, fighting spirit and hunger to win," told IANS.

"You could see it on his face when he walks out to bat, or captain India he wants to be the best. The country needs him at the moment and I think he is great addition to Indian cricket,” he told the media at a celebratory function yesterday.

Speaking about the touring New Zealand team, Ganguly felt that the Kiwis are one of the most formidable sides in World cricket currently.

"New Zealand are probably the second best team after England at the moment. India are almost unbeatable at home. Everyone knows that, even New Zealand," he said.

As a representative of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Ganguly exuded confidence that the pitch at the Eden Gardens which will host second Test match will be ready for an entertaining game of cricket.

"The first Test is in Kanpur and then here at the Eden Gardens followed by Indore. The conditions will be good to play." Ganguly said the Eden pitch is presently being prepared for the second Test starting September 30. "Eden pitch will be ready. There has been a lot of sunshine in the last two days. There is still enough time to get it ready."

As the brand ambassador of a leading construction company, the 44-year old also announced they will be funding 10 different age group players from a financially poor background through the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

"Hopefully in a few years' time we will get a couple of players who will play for the country. This will be a big success for us," Ganguly said.