Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday refused to read too much into Virat Kohli's long-standing run-scoring exploits and hailed the batting maestro as the "greatest white-ball player" and a "once-in-a-lifetime cricketer". Kohli scored a century in the second innings of the first Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but could only manage 85 runs in the next seven innings. With seniors like Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma failing to deliver, India lost the series 1-3. "Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. To have scored 81 international centuries in his career is incredible. For me, he is probably the greatest white-ball player in the world," he said at a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) state players' reception.
"I was really surprised by the way he batted after scoring 100 runs in Perth. He had struggled before but I thought after scoring 100 runs in Perth, this would be a big series for him."
"But I think it happens. Every player has his weaknesses and strengths. You know, there is no player in the world who doesn't have those. That way you can adapt to your weaknesses because you can play great bowlers over time." With Kohli's poor form a topic of discussion, Ganguly exuded confidence and said that he will be back to his best in the three-match ODI series against England and the upcoming Champions Trophy.
"He will run in this tournament in Indian conditions, and I still think Virat Kohli has a lot of cricket left in him, the England tour will be a big challenge for him."
"I'm not too worried about his form in the Champions Trophy, because like I said, he's probably the best white-ball player the world has seen for a long time."
Shami is the best after Bumrah
Ganguly was also excited to see pacer Mohammed Shami back on his feet and fully fit after a long injury.
"I'm happy to see Shami fit because I think he's probably the best bowler in the country after (Jasprit) Bumrah."
"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 bowled a lot for Bengal in domestic cricket, which will help him. The games are coming up," he said.
Shami will return to international action in the opening T20I of the 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. Shami and Bumrah bowling from both ends is different than Bumrah bowling from one end. Both players are crucial for each other's success in Test cricket."
Team India has come under a lot of criticism after the loss to Australia and Ganguly stressed the importance of focusing on performance and maintaining a strong mindset amidst all the noise.
“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 advises.
India are Champions Trophy contenders
Ganguly also said that India will be one of the contenders for the Champions Trophy, especially after their runner-up finish 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 unbeaten, and the 50-over World Cup India lost their final.
"So if you look at India's performance in the last two World Cups, they have lost only one match, out of about 20. So, I think this is a fantastic white-ball team. For me, they will be the favourites. Champions Trophy."
Rohit's Champions Trophy will be different
Ganguly also backed struggling Indian captain Rohit Sharma to return to his best in the Champions Trophy.
"Rohit Sharma is phenomenal in white-ball cricket, and you will see a different Rohit Sharma when the Champions Trophy starts. And as I said, they (India) will be one of the contenders in the tournament." Ganguly, however, said India will have to work on their Test cricket with their next series in England next summer.
"Come England in July, they will have to work hard to play well there because the conditions there are different. With the red ball and the seaming, swinging pitch, they will have to bat a little better than what they have done," Ganguly said.
"I've always said that if you score 350 to 400 runs in the first innings of a Test match away from home, you put yourself in a position to win the Test match."
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