Sehwag was comparing impact of Ganguly and Kohli as Indian team captains.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag remarked in an upcoming episode of Sports18's newest offering, Home of Heroes, that while Virat Kohli as captain may be among the best statistically, he could not build a squad and back new players like Ganguly did during his captaincy tenure.
Kohli's captaincy was marked by a tendency of changing the playing XI practically every Test, whether they won or lost, according to Sehwag who was speaking on the latest episode of Sports18’s show Home of Heroes.
“Sourav Ganguly built a new team, brought in new players, and backed them through their highs and lows. I doubt if Kohli did that in his tenure.
In my opinion, the No. 1 captain is the one who builds a team and gives confidence to his players. He (Kohli) backed some players, some he did not,” said Sehwag, whose career took off under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly, when he was promoted to opening the innings.
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When asked if Rishabh Pant's career path is similar to his, with less success in ODI and T20I cricket but enviable stats in Test cricket, Sehwag agrees and believes Pant will be more successful if he opens in limited-overs cricket.
“We don’t play limited-overs to score 50 or 100 but to score at a brisk pace, no matter the situation or the opposition,” pointed Sehwag. “At no. 4 or 5, he will find himself in situations that demand greater responsibility, but if he opens, he will be far more successful.”
Pant startled cricket fans earlier this year when he walked out to open against the West Indies in an ODI. He only managed a 34-ball 18, but India coach Rahul Dravid was well aware of the situation.
Dravid watched Pant's talents as an opener during the 2016 ICC U19 World Cup when he scored the quickest U19 international fifty against Nepal in 18 balls, followed by a century in the next match against Namibia.
Prithvi Shaw, according to Sehwag, is a player to watch in the future.
“Shaw and Pant in one team could help India rule Test cricket, win World Test Championship,” Sehwag claimed.