Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday refused to read much into Virat Kohli’s long lean runs and praised the batting maestro as “the greatest white-ball player” and “a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer”. I did it. Kohli scored a second-innings century in the first Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but managed only 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. To me, he is probably the greatest white-ball player the world has ever seen,” Ganguly said on cricket. The association said: Bengal (CAB) Felication Program for players in the state.
Recalling Kohli’s struggles after the Perth century, Ganguly said he was surprised to see him not build on that hundred for the rest of the series.
“I was really surprised by the way he was batting after hitting 100 in Perth. He was underperforming before that but after hitting 100 in Perth I thought it was going to be a big series for him.
“But I think that happens. Every player has weaknesses and strengths. You know, there’s not a player in the world who doesn’t have those. It’s how you adapt to your weaknesses when you play a good bowler over a period of time.” With Kohli’s poor form becoming a topic of discussion, Ganguly expressed confidence and said he will be back in top form for the three-match ODI series against England and the subsequent Champions Trophy.
“He will score runs in this tournament in Indian conditions. And I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in Virat Kohli. The tour of England will be a big challenge for him.”
“I’m not too worried about his performance in the Champions Trophy because, as I said, he will probably be the best white-ball player in the world for a long time.”
Shami is the best after Bumrah
Ganguly was also very happy to see pacer Mohammed Shami fully recovered after a long injury lay-off.
“I am happy to see Shami fit because I think he is the best bowler in the country after (Jasprit) Bumrah.
“I know he will be a little nervous, especially as it has been a while since he played cricket due to a knee injury, but the good thing is that he has bowled a lot for Bengal in domestic cricket. That will help him.” “It’s a game to come,” he said.
Shami is expected to return to international action in the opening T20I series 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. Bowling Shami and Bumrah from both ends is different than bowling Bumrah from one end. Both players are very dependent on each other’s success in Tests. “Cricket is important.”
There was a lot of criticism after the Indian team lost to Australia and Ganguly emphasized the importance of focusing on performance and maintaining a strong mindset amidst all the noise.
“There are a lot of risks in sports these days. There will be negative comments and comments. As an athlete, you have to find a way to avoid getting into these situations,” he advised.
India is a Champions Trophy contender
Ganguly said India will be one of the contenders for the Champions Trophy, especially after finishing as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup and winning the T20 World Cup title last year.
“I know India didn’t have a great series in Australia, but if you look at the last two World Cups, the T20 World Cup India won undefeated and the 50-over World Cup India lost in the final.
“So if you look at India’s performance in the last two World Cups, they have lost just one game, almost 20 games. So I think India is a phenomenal back-ball team. For me, India will be the favorites to win the World Cup. It’s the Champions Trophy.”
Rohit will look different from the Champions Trophy.
Ganguly also supported Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in his struggle to get back to his best in the Champions Trophy.
“Rohit Sharma in white-ball cricket is a phenomenal player. Once the Champions Trophy starts, you will see a different Rohit Sharma. And like I said, they (India) will be one of the contenders in the tournament.” Ganguly, however, said India must prepare for Test cricket with the next series in England in the coming summer.
“When they come to England in July, they’re going to have to work really hard to play well there because the conditions are different – red balls, seaming, swinging pitches, they’re going to have to bat a little bit better than they’ve been doing. ” Ganguly said.
“I have always said that if you score 350-400 runs in the first innings of a Test match away from home, you will be in a position to win the Test match.”
“Now when you get under 200 you’re always fighting from behind and the reason they won in Perth is because they got 400-500 runs on the board in the second innings.”
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