According to former India captain Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli can deliver high-impact performances similar to Travis Head. Ganguly suggests that Kohli, who held the IPL 2024 Orange Cap, should partner with Rohit Sharma as an opener for India during the T20 World Cup.
“Virat Kohli has got the capability of scoring a 40-ball century,” said Ganguly.
“And in my personal opinion, Rohit and Virat should open for India in the T20 World Cup,” he said.
However, Ganguly also emphasized that the current demand in T20 cricket is for fearless play. He suggests that Virat Kohli should draw inspiration from Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach in the ODI World Cup and adopt a similar mindset, going all out from the very first ball.
“It is not a drastic change. They have the talent to do it. You saw how Rohit batted in the 50-over World Cup. He just came and hit at the top. That’s why we were such a good side. He just put so much pressure on the opposition in the first 7-8 overs that it gave breathing space for the middle order. I think Virat and Rohit should do the same. They are great players,” said Ganguly.
“For India, the most important thing in T20 cricket and I said this to Rahul Dravid in Australia ahead of the last T20 World Cup as well. ‘Just play without fear.’ India has a long batting line-up. You can always control the innings if you lose wickets, but just go and hit.”
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Sourav Ganguly on Indian cricketers
Ganguly on Pant
Ganguly, who serves as the mentor of Delhi Capitals, provides insights into the adjustments Rishabh Pant should consider to enhance his performance as a T20 batsman.
“Khulke khele, Chakka maare. Chakka maarna bahut zaroori hai (He should play without any fear and must hit sixes, that’s the most important think in T20 cricket). Aap Travis Head ko dekh rahe ho ki nahi? Pehle ball se ghumaata hai (Look at Travis Head, he starts hitting from the very first ball. We all know he (Pant) can hit sixes. So just hit sixes.” said Ganguly.
Ganguly is confident that Pant will be part of India’s 15-member squad but says it will be interesting to see where he will bat.
“In sport, the most equipped and the better ones play. That’s what sport is all about. Pant is definitely in that bracket. I am sure he will go to the World Cup.
Ganguly on KL Rahul
Ganguly expresses admiration for KL Rahul’s batting display against CSK in the recent match, highlighting his impressive performance. He further notes that all Indian batsmen possess the capability to hit sixes and emphasizes the importance of finding the right approach to excel in T20 cricket.
“I thought KL Rahul was exceptional at the top of the order against Chennai and did exactly as required. It’s about playing freely and without fear. That is a must in T20 cricket. And I hope Rahul finds a method of playing T20 cricket. Because players like Virat, Rohit, Rishabh, Rahul, Surya, Shivam Dube – there’s exceptional six-hitting ability, it’s enormous. That’s the way they should play. Just hit,” he said.
T20 is not for youngsters only
Citing the example of MS Dhoni, Ganguly also downplayed the theory that T20 cricket is only for youngsters and also revealed why he was not a member in the inaugural edition in 2007.
“We (Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly ) did not decide it,” he laughed.
“It’s nothing about young and old. It’s about how good you are. And that is important. There is no hard and fast rule for anything.
The only hard and fast rule is talent, ability, and performance. That is it. You look at MS Dhoni. He bats for two overs and hits four sixes. I would want him to bat more but just see how good he is.”
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