New Delhi, Sep 10 : BCCI president and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has heaped praise for Virat Kohli, claiming that Kohli is “more skilled” than him as a player.Kohli who was going through an uncharacteristic dry run of form, recently found his mojo in the Asia Cup 2022, where he made his first century on international stage after just 1020 days.
His tally (122 not out) against Afghanistan was his first in the 20-over format.he hit the three-figure mark for the first time in almost three years, his last hundred came in an international Test against Bangladesh in November of this year.
Notably both Ganguly and Kohli played a brutal style of cricket in their captainships,, but the current BCCI president believes captaincy shouldn’t be the subject of comparison.
“I do not think that (captaincy) should be the primary comparability.
The distinction ought to be in terms of the ability of the player.I believe he is more skilled than I am,” Ganguly told of Kohli in the “Ranveer Show” on YouTube.
“We were in various generations and played lots of cricket.I was a player in my generation and he will continue to play and probably playing more than I did.In the present, I’ve played more than he does, but he’ll eventually overcome that.He is a beast,” he added.
When asked if he offered Kohli any suggestions in the time he was struggling to get his form back He replied, “I don’t get to meet them.The poor players travel often.”
The 50-year-old also talked about how every player is subject to media scrutiny.
“Everybody has been subject to media scrutiny.Just the names change over a long period of time.I’m not going to be able to comprehend the majority of it since I didn’t study so much.I would walk into an establishment and the first thing I’d say to the reception desk was, ‘Boss don’t leave the newspaper on my bed in the morning”,” he said.
“But nowadays, obviously there’s a lot more than that.
Social media is now available on your mobile and computer.But I think cricketers can find an option to turn that off” he added.
In his playing days, Ganguly too went through many changes and ups, particularly after his encounter with the coach of India at the time, Greg Chappell.The former left-hander shrewd batsman stated that cricketers should handle the setbacks in a positive way.
“I didn’t experience any kind of trauma.I experienced good as well as bad ones.
I felt less pressure but a bit more pressure and a lot of pressure.I don’t think of it as the result of trauma.” stated Ganguly.
“Young people ought to also view it as such.
I can say this now since I’m more knowledgeable.But , for the youngsters, they should see it as an opportunity to move ahead,” he added.
The veteran explained the way in which the game has evolved over time.
“The game has changed.It’s gotten shorter, faster, greater boundaries for sixes and there aren’t many deliveries left beyond the stump.It’s a different game,” Ganguly said.
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