NEW DELHI: Inspired by his leadership during the ODI World Cup, former captain Sourav Ganguly supported Rohit Sharma on Friday, stating that he ought to lead India through the T20 World Cup in June of the following year at the very least.
Virat Kohli and Rohit, who guided India to the ODI World Cup final at home, have taken a "break" for the forthcoming white-ball leg of the South Africa series, which starts on December 10.
Talking to reporters, Ganguly said the duo deserved this rest so that they come back "fresh" for the hectic calendar ahead.
"Once Rohit is back playing all formats, he should be the captain of India, because he has done so well in the World Cup," said the former BCCI president, who was named the Dabur Chyawanprash's brand ambassador for East India, during a program in Kolkata.
"You saw in the World Cup how well they played. They are absolutely integral and an important part of Indian cricket."
The BCCI was unsure whether Rohit and Kohli should be part of India's plans for the T20 global showcase in six months. It's interesting to note that neither player has played a Twenty20 international since the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup against England.
Hardik Pandya was named India's T20 captain following the 2022 T20 World Cup, but Suryakumar Yadav is now captaining the team in the current five-T20 series against Australia due to Pandya's injury sustained during the ODI World Cup.
"World Cups are different than a bilateral series because the pressures are different. They have been exceptional this World Cup and hopefully six-seven months down the line in the West Indies they will be again at their best," Ganguly said.
"He's (Rohit) a leader. I expect and I presume that he will continue as captain till the T20 World Cup in 2024."
Beginning with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, the duo will return for the two-Test series in South Africa.
"Very rightfully, they have taken a break because there is so much cricket all the time. I cannot imagine that you played a World Cup final on the 19th and in three days' time you're playing a T20I series against the same team," Ganguly said.
"It is not easy to pick yourselves up, especially with the pressures and demands of the World Cup. I'm happy that they have got a break.
"They will come back fresh for Tests -- there're five Tests against England -- there's IPL, and then the T20 World Cup, so it's non-stop cricket. Hopefully they'll come back fresh and keep performing."
1/10:Rahul Dravid to stay on as Team India coach
AFP
2/10:Rahul Dravid
<p>The BCCI on Wednesday extended the contracts of Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid and his support staff following the side's runners-up finish in the ODI World Cup. </p>AFP
3/10:ODI World Cup final
<p>India lost to Australia in the summit showdown at Ahmedadad on November 19 after an excellent run of 10 successive wins in the premier tournament. </p>IANS
4/10:Legendary cricketer
<p>Dravid's contract was set to be renewed with the BCCI looking for continuity in the set-up helmed by the legendary cricketer over the last two years. </p>AFP
5/10:2021 T20 World Cup
<p>Dravid had replaced Ravi Shastri after the T20 World Cup in 2021, getting appointed for a two-year term which ended with the ODI World Cup. </p>Reuters
6/10:World Test Championship
<p>Under Dravid, India also finished runners-up in the last World Test Championship, losing to Australia in the final. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Tenure extension
<p>The BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Dravid after the term of his contract ended following the recently-concluded World Cup and unanimously agreed to further the tenure. </p>Reuters
8/10:T20 World Cup
<p>The BCCI did not reveal the duration of the extension but it is likely to cover the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June. </p>ANI
9/10:India vs South Africa
<p>Dravid said he thoroughly enjoyed the last two years in charge of the side and is likely to reclaim the coaching reins for India's tour of South Africa next month. </p>AP
10/10:VVS Laxman
<p>The board also praised VVS Laxman, who was expected to succeed Dravid in the role having occasionally filled in for his former India team mate, saying he had shown "exemplary" service. </p>AFPThough the precise length of his second term is unknown, the BCCI has also extended the contract of India head coach Rahul Dravid at least until the T20 World Cup.Dravid took over as head coach during Ganguly's BCCI tenure, and the former India left-hander was pleased with his former teammate's contract extension.
'Happy for Dravid'
"I'm not surprised that they have shown faith in Dravid. When I was president of the Board, we convinced him to do this job. And I'm so happy to see yesterday that his tenure has been extended.
"It was always the case, depending on whether he wanted it or not. I wish him luck for another World Cup in June. He was very close this time.
"They may not have won it, but they probably were the best team in the competition with the way they played. So he's got another seven months for a World Cup in the West Indies. Hopefully, at that time, he will not be runners-up, but a champion," he said.
Asked about India's title drought at an ICC global showpiece, Ganguly said: "Hopefully they will cross the bridge one day."
"As a captain, I've qualified for three finals, and lost twice -- 2003 World Cup and 2001 Champions Trophy. So I don't have the right to say how to win finals. I managed just one win that too as joint winners with Sri Lanka (2002 Champions Trophy)," he said.
"At least, they are making the final and by dominating the tournament. Hopefully they will cross the bridge one day, their luck will change. There is no rocket science.
"At Australia 47/3, India had a great chance, one wicket and it would have been different. But it's past now."
1/10:India vs South Africa: Three formats, three captains
Getty Images
2/10:India vs South Africa
<p>India named three skippers for South Africa tour next month, with Rohit Sharma leading the two Tests, Suryakumar Yadav for the T20Is and KL Rahul for the ODIs. </p>Getty Images
3/10:Multi-format tour
<p>The tour, which opens on December 10 with a T20 in Durban and is set to run until January 7, includes three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests, the BCCI said.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
<p>The BCCI said Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had asked for a break from the white-ball leg of the tour.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Mohammed Shami
<p>Mohammed Shami is undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to fitness.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Pujara and Rahane
<p>India dropped Ajinkya Rahane while Cheteshwar Pujara could not force his way back in, with both seemingly at the end of their international careers. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Jaiswal and Gaikwad
<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mukesh Kumar are the only players to be picked across formats.</p>Getty Images
8/10:Jasprit Bumrah
<p>Jasprit Bumrah made a comeback having last played a Test more than 17 months back, but he has been rested for white-ball cricket on this tour.</p>Getty Images
9/10:Ravindra Jadeja
<p>Axar Patel has been dropped from the T20I squad and Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed the vice-captain.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Rinku Singh
<p>Left-handed batter Rinku Singh's impressive T20I performances have earned him a maiden ODI call-up. </p>Getty ImagesThank you Pujara, Rahane
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, both Test specialists, were left out of the squad for the two Tests against South Africa.
"At some point of time you have to play new talents. It happens, there is enormous talent in India and the team has to progress. Pujara and Rahane had enormous success for India, sport doesn't remain with you forever," Ganguly said.
"You cannot be there forever, it will happen to everyone. I must thank them what they have done for Indian cricket and selectors want fresh faces, so that's the way it is."
(With PTI inputs)
