Sourav Ganguly Applauds India Captain Rohit Sharma

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly made a pivotal decision to replace Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma as the captain of India's ODI team, a move that stirred significant controversy. Initially facing criticism for the decision, Ganguly later clarified that it was portrayed as a mutual agreement, contrasting with Kohli's subsequent statement that he was informed of his removal via phone call. Following this episode, Ganguly maintained a public silence on the matter until recently, coinciding with India's victory in the T20 World Cup. He took the opportunity to highlight his foresight in appointing Rohit Sharma, noting that the move eventually resulted in India claiming an ICC trophy after an 11-year drought. Ganguly pointed out the criticism he faced at the time of the captaincy change, contrasting it with the present, where the success has overshadowed earlier doubts.

Ganguly's remarks underscored his enduring belief in Rohit Sharma's leadership abilities and his willingness to make bold decisions despite facing backlash. The victory in the T20 World Cup provided validation for Ganguly's choice, prompting him to reflect on the fleeting nature of criticism in the face of significant achievements.

“When I handed Rohit Sharma the captaincy of the Indian team, everyone criticised me. Now that India has won the T20 World Cup under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, everyone has stopped abusing me for it. In fact, I think everyone has forgotten that it was I who appointed him as the captain of the Indian team,” former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly told Bengali daily Aajkaal.

After parting ways with Ricky Ponting, Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, witnessed a shift in direction. Ganguly openly expressed his interest in assuming the role of head coach, citing his vision to rejuvenate the team. He emphasized the introduction of new players into the squad, aiming to invigorate their dynamics and performance.

Ganguly highlighted his admiration for England’s Jamie Smith, a sentiment that predates Smith's debut. He expressed a keen desire to integrate Smith into the Delhi Capitals' lineup, particularly for the South African T20 league. However, logistical challenges posed by scheduling prevented this move from materializing at the time. Under Ganguly’s leadership, the Delhi Capitals looked poised to undergo strategic restructuring, leveraging his astute cricketing acumen and leadership experience to steer the team towards future success. His proactive approach in talent acquisition and team development reflected a deliberate effort to bolster the Capitals' competitiveness in domestic and international cricketing arenas.

“I am planning for the next IPL. I want DC to win this time. I will speak to the management about appointing an Indian as the head coach. I want to give a shot as the head coach. I will bring in some new players. Wanted to bring in Jamie Smith from England. I wanted to test him out in Delhi's SA20 franchise. He wanted to come in but the schedules did not match,” Ganguly concluded.