After the T20 World Cup 2021, Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I skipper but the selectors also sacked him from ODI captaincy citing that they don’t want different individuals leading the white-ball teams. By January 2022, Kohli gave up the Test captaincy as well following the series loss in South Africa.

Subsequently, Rohit Sharma was appointed as India’s all-format captain. Recently, former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said Rohit was the best candidate to replace Virat as the skipper.

Ganguly's comment came after India suffered a heavy 209-run defeat under Rohit’s leadership against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final at The Oval.

While Rohit is facing flak on social media after the WTC final defeat, Ganguly reckons that the former is still the best option to lead India at the highest level.

Ganguly backed the Mumbai Indians skipper, saying that winning the IPL is more difficult than winning the World Cup. Notably, Rohit has led MI to five IPL titles so far.

“The selectors needed a captain after Virat left and Rohit was the best that time. He had won 5 IPL trophies and done well at the international level as well; he won the Asia Cup. He was the best option. India also played in the final of the Test championship, although we lost.

“Even two years ago, we lost the WTC final. We reached the semis of the T20 World Cup. So, the selectors picked that person who was the best for the job,” Ganguly told Aaj Tak.

The former India captain went on to say that it takes 4-5 matches to qualify for the World Cup knockouts but teams need to go through 17 games to win the IPL title.

“I have full faith on Rohit. He and MS Dhoni have won 5 IPL titles. Winning the IPL isn’t easy because it’s a tough tournament. Winning the IPL is more difficult than winning a World Cup as there are 14 matches after which you take part in the playoffs. In the World Cup, it takes only 4-5 matches for a place in the semis. In the IPL, it takes 17 matches for you to become champions,” he added.