Sourav Ganguly took Indian cricket to new heights under his inspirational leadership over a period of five years (2000-2005).

From qualifying to the finals of 2003 World Cup, sharing the 2002 Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka, winning the 2004 Test series in Pakistan and drawing Test series in England and Australia – Team India achieved it all and a lot more with him at the helm of affairs.

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However, the journey to captaincy was not straightforward for Ganguly, who had to wait four years to return to the senior side following his debut in 1992.

In fact, there were reservations against Sourav becoming vice-captain of the team, let alone the skipper.

In a Facebook Live session with Sportskeeda, former selector Ashok Malhotra opened up about the hurdles Ganguly had to face en route India captaincy.

"If I remember correctly, picking Sourav Ganguly as vice-captain was a tougher job. I remember we picked him in Calcutta and the coach had some things to say - drinks too much Coke, takes singles but not twos, etc. In the bargain, I said having a Thumbs Up does not disqualify him as a vice-captain," Malhotra said.

"And then we had quite a big discussion. 3-2 was voted in favour of Sourav as vice captain. But then, I won't name the President, but he walked into the selection, which has never ever happened in the history of the BCCI. And he and the Chairman told us, 'Gentlemen, let's do some rethinking'.

"Two of us still stuck to our guns, but one selector said, 'No, the President has said it so I will go with him.' So we didn't make him vice-captain then but later on, we managed to (make him). I know today he's a legendary captain today, but a little bit of effort was there to make him captain, and even vice-captain," he added.

Malhotra also revealed Anil Kumble and Ajay Jadeja were ahead of Ganguly in the race to become the Indian captain after Sachin Tendulkar’s resignation.

"None of us knew Sourav Ganguly would become the captain, because Sachin was the captain then. But once he resigned, we had to convince everyone to make him captain because Anil Kumble and Ajay Jadeja were in line. I had to work overtime," he said.