Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said that he persuaded Rohit Sharma to take up the Indian captaincy across all formats after Virat Kohli left.
Ganguly revealed that Rohit was hesitant to lead India across formats and that it was he who encouraged the experienced Indian opener to accept the role. He’s been blown away by how well the Men in Blue have done under Rohit’s guidance.
Sourav Ganguly told Kolkata TV the following about Rohit Sharma:
“Rohit Sharma wasn’t keen (on taking up India’s captaincy in all three formats). It had gone to a stage where I told him ‘you’ll have to say yes otherwise I’ll make the announcement.’ Because he is an outstanding captain. And after Virat Kohli left, he was the best man to lead India. I am not surprised by what I am seeing.”
Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly further added:
“Lot of cricket; Tests, ODIs, T20, IPL – he was already a captain there, lot of pressure. So he had a lot of his plate. But nothing can be bigger than being an India captain. I am happy that he took it and it makes me glad seeing the results.”
Sourav Ganguly
Rahul Dravid’s coaching impresses Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly has appreciated Rahul Dravid’s performance as India’s head coach thus far. He feels Rahul Dravid deserved more time to show results and is pleased with the atmosphere he has created in the Indian dressing room.
Ganguly commented on this:
“It’s a lot of time on the road. He has a young family, two young kids. Plus, he played cricket all his life. So it’s not easy coaching but he agreed thinking about Indian cricket and I wish he does it in the future too. A coach needs to be given time; it isn’t magic for a coach to produce instant results in 3-4 months. He needs time to turn things around which he has now, second year in his tenure.”
Sourav Ganguly
India has qualified for the 2023 World Cup semifinals, where it will most likely meet New Zealand in Mumbai.