Seeing India’s success in last 15 months, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has lauded Kohli for being a fantastic leader, who takes everyone along. In particular, Ganguly is pleased with the way Virat has shown faith in the veteran wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni.
The 36-year-old Dhoni had stepped down as India's limited-overs captain in January 2017. However, he continues to guide the bowlers and is often seen sharing his valuable inputs to Kohli. In fact, the Indian captain himself seeks suggestion from the experienced glovesman when it comes to field placing or making a crucial call for DRS referral.
"What Virat Kohli has done for MS Dhoni is a learning experience for everyone. Not many times in teams do current captains look after the former captains like this. There have been times when former captains have been pushed aside,” Ganguly said in an exclusive interview with India Today.
"But Kohli, that's why for me, is such a fantastic leader. He creates a team, he builds a team and he takes everyone along.
"Look at the faith he has in Dhoni, in Rohit Sharma, in Shikhar Dhawan and in Hardik Pandya. So, I keep saying as long as Kohli as leader of Team India, I have got lot of hopes from this side," he added.
During the recently concluded South Africa tour, Team India won both the limited series (ODIs and T20Is) convincingly after conceding the three-match Test series 1-2. While the Men in Blue clinched the six-match ODI series with a stunning margin of 5-1, they won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Kohli was undoubtedly the 'Man of the Tour' for India. After amassing 286 runs at an average of 47.66 on some of the most difficult pitches in the three-match Tests series, he scored three more one-day international tons in six ODI series.
The Indian captain became the first batsman in the history of cricket to amass more than 500 runs in a bilateral ODI series. He finished the series with 558 runs at an incredible average of 186.
Ganguly also reckons that the current India side under Virat Kohli has the ability to do well in England.
“Five-match Test series in England Virat Kohli finishing 2-1, 3-1 or 3-2 will be what this team should be wanting. And for me who is looking from outside it is this team which is got the capability,” he concluded.
