Sourav Ganguly replaces Rohit Sharma as Indian captain until the 2024 T20 World Cup

Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday threw his support behind Rohit Sharma and said he should lead India at least until the T20 World Cup in June next year.

Calcutta: Impressed with his captaincy in the ODI World Cup, former captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday threw his support behind Rohit Sharma and said he should lead India at least until the T20 World Cup in June next year.

Rohit, who led India to the ODI World Cup final at home, and Virat Kohli have taken a “break” and will miss the white ball of the upcoming South Africa tour, which starts on December 10.

Speaking to reporters, Ganguly said the duo deserved rest so that they come back ‘fresh’ for the hectic calendar ahead.

“Once Rohit plays all formats again, he should be India’s captain because he has done so well in the World Cup,” the former BCCI president, who was appointed Dabur Chyawanprash’s brand ambassador for Eastern India, said during a programme. here.

“You saw at the World Cup how well they played. They are absolutely integral and an important part of Indian cricket.” Interestingly, both Rohit and Kohli have not played a T20I since the semi-finals against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the BCCI was not clear whether the duo should be in India’s plan for the global showpiece in six months’ time T20.

After the 2022 T20 World Cup, Hardik Pandya was named India’s T20 captain but after his injury during the ODI World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav is leading the team in the ongoing five-T20 series against Australia.

“World Cups are different from a bilateral series because the pressure is different. They were exceptional this World Cup and hopefully they will be back to their best six-seven months later in the West Indies,” Ganguly said.

“He (Rohit) is a leader. I expect and assume that he will remain as captain until the T20 World Cup in 2024.” The duo will return for the two-Test series in South Africa, starting with the Boxing Day Test at Centurion.

“They rightly took a break because there is always so much cricket. I can’t imagine having played a World Cup final on the 19th and in three days’ time you are playing a T20I series against the same team,” Ganguly said.

“It’s not easy to lift yourself up, especially with the pressure and demands of the World Cup. I’m glad they’re having a break.

“They come back fresh for Tests – there are five Tests against England – there is IPL, and then the T20 World Cup, so it is non-stop cricket. Hopefully they come back fresh and keep performing.” Happy for Dravid =========== The BCCI has also extended the contract of Indian head coach Rahul Dravid until at least the T20 World Cup, even though the exact duration of his second term is not yet known.

It was during Ganguly’s BCCI tenure that Dravid had become the head coach and the former India lefthander was happy with his teammate’s contract extension.

‘I am not surprised that they have shown confidence in Dravid. When I was Chairman of the Board of Directors, we convinced him to do this work. And I’m so happy to see yesterday that his term was extended.

“It always was, depending on whether he wanted it or not. I wish him the best of luck with another World Cup in June. This time he was very close.

“They may not have won it, but the way they played they were probably the best team in the league. So he still has seven months before a World Cup in the West Indies. Hopefully by then he won’t be a runner-up, but a champion,” he said.

Asked about India’s title drought in an ICC global showpiece, Ganguly said: “Hopefully one day they will cross the bridge.” “As captain I have qualified for three finals and lost twice: the 2003 World Cup and the 2001 Champions Trophy. So I have no right to say how to win the final. I have only managed one win there as joint winner with Sri Lanka (Champions Trophy 2002),” he said.

“At least they will reach the final and dominate the tournament. Hopefully one day they will cross the bridge, their luck will change. There is no rocket science.

“At Australia 47/3, India had a big chance, one wicket and it would have been different. But it’s over now.” Thanks Pujara, Rahane ================ Test specialists – Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane – were not included for the two Tests against South Africa.

“At some point you have to play with new talents. It happens, there is immense talent in India and the team needs to progress. Pujara and Rahane had tremendous success for India, sports don’t stay with you forever,” Ganguly said.

“You can’t stay there forever, it will happen to everyone. I have to thank them for what they have done for Indian cricket and the selectors want new faces so that’s how it is.”