Both Ganguly and Kohli are considered to be India's most finest and successful captains.
Sourav Ganguly took over the captaincy of the Indian team in the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal in 2000 and the unwillingness of Sachin Tendulkar to continue leading the side to focus on his batting. Ganguly got a bunch of youngsters debuting under him and he groomed them to become world-beaters.
WATCH - Yuvraj Singh pays ultimate tribute to "Undisputed Dada of Indian Cricket" Sourav Ganguly
After a successful era for the Indian team under MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli was handed the reins of the team after Dhoni’s retirement from Tests in 2014. Kohli inherited a brilliant young team and molded it into his own vision.
Therefore today, Team COC looks at the combined Ganguly-Kohli Test playing XI featuring players who did amazingly well under the captaincy of these great leaders when they led the Indian team. The XI features 6 players including Ganguly from his era of leadership and 5 players including Kohli from his ongoing domination in Test cricket.
"Virat Kohli has set the fitness bar for players worldwide": Waqar Younis
Cheteshwar Pujara, meanwhile, made his debut under MS Dhoni in 2010 but has seen the majority of his success coming under Virat Kohli’s leadership. Pegged to be the successor of Rahul Dravid at the no.3 batting spot, Pujara has fulfilled that expectancy with 5842 runs in 77 Tests to his name with 18 centuries.
His best outing came against Australia in 2018-19 tour down under, when he hit 3 centuries in the four-match series, helping Kohli and India win their maiden Test series against Australia in Australia.
Tendulkar’s unforgettable 241* at Sydney against Australia in 2004 came under Ganguly’s leadership, who took on the mantle after Tendulkar refused to become captain again after the 1999-00 series debacle down under. Dravid’s best of 180 in Kolkata and 233 and 72* in Adelaide helped India get memorable victories against the best team of that decade, Australia.
"What a blessing to be able to play Test cricket for India": Virat Kohli
Sourav Ganguly was one of the most pleasing batsmen to watch. His silken off-side shots earned him the moniker of ‘God of off-side’ and he stayed true to that name. Ganguly’s best innings as captain were his 144* in Brisbane on a fast pitch during the 2003-04 tour and his match-winning 98* against Sri Lanka in Kandy on a vicious turner against an in-form Muralitharan.
Though he has some tough competition from Wriddhiman Saha at home, he has been the preferred choice behind the stumps whenever India travel abroad outside the subcontinent.
"Special" Rishabh Pant still backed by team management despite struggles: Vikram Rathour
R Ashwin has been one of the best spinners in world cricket with over 360 wickets to his name. He has done some outstanding hit jobs for Virat Kohli, especially in home conditions, including a seven-wicket haul against South Africa in a recent series.
Harbhajan Singh names Anil Kumble as "the greatest match-winner India has ever produced"
Zaheer Khan made his Test debut under Ganguly and became his go-to man whenever he needed some quick wickets. Khan got immense backing from Sourav as he looked to cement his place in the team amongst seniors like Srinath and Agarkar.
Bumrah facing up against Smith, Warner a "tantalising prospect": Justin Langer
Ravindra Jadeja has become India’s best all-rounders lately after realizing his true potential under the leadership of Virat Kohli, who has made the left-arm spinner his first-pick in overseas Test matches and is always a front-line choice to partner R Ashwin in home conditions. Jadeja will be the 12th man of this combined XI.
Combined India Test XI from Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli captaincy eras:
Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, Rishabh Pant (WK), R Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja (12th man)