Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has brushed aside concerns regarding Virat Kohli's recent dip in form, hailing the latter as the "greatest white-ball player" and a "once-in-a-lifetime cricketer."
While Kohli started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with a second innings hundred (100*) at Perth, he managed to amass only 90 runs in his other eight innings combined.
Kohli finished the tour of Australia with an average of 23.75, and he scored only 440 runs in 21 Test innings at an average of 23.15 last year. As a result, his career Test average has slumped to 46.85 after 123 matches.
"Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. To score 81 international centuries in a career is something unbelievable. For me, he's probably the greatest white-ball player the world has seen," Ganguly said during a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) felicitation programme for the state's players.
Ganguly expressed surprise at Kohli's inability to build on his Perth century during the tour Down Under.
"I was really surprised the way he batted after getting a 100 in Perth. He struggled before that but I thought after the 100 in Perth, it'll be a big series for him."
"But I think it happens. Every player has his weakness and strength. You know, there's no player in the world, who will not have that. It's how you adapt to your weaknesses as you play great bowlers over a period of time."
However, Ganguly remains confident that Kohli will do well in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the subsequent Champions Trophy.
"He will score runs in this tournament in Indian conditions, and I still feel there's a lot of cricket left in Virat Kohli, the tour of England will be a big challenge for him."
"I'm not too worried about his form in the Champions Trophy, because as I said, he's probably the best white-ball player the world has seen for a long period of time."
According to Ganguly, India will be one of the favourites for the Champions Trophy, considering their stellar showing in the last two ICC events.
"I know India did not have a great series in Australia, but if you look at the last two World Cups, the T20 World Cup India won it unbeaten, and the 50-over World Cup India lost their final."
"So if you look at India's performance in the last two World Cups, they've just lost one game, in almost about 20 of them. So, I think it's a phenomenal white ball team. For me, they will be the favourites in the Champions Trophy."
Ganguly also backed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to regain form in the Champions Trophy.
"Rohit Sharma in white-ball cricket is phenomenal, and you will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts. And as I said, they (India) will be one of the contenders in the tournament."
However, Ganguly emphasized the need for India to improve their Test performance, especially with the fast-approaching tour of England.
"Come England in July, they'll have to really work hard to play well there because the conditions are different. The red ball and the seaming, swinging pitches, they'll have to bat a bit better than what they have done."
"I've always said that if you score 350 to 400 runs in first innings of Test matches away from home, you get yourself in a position to win Test matches."
"Now if you're getting out for less than 200, then you're always fighting from behind. And the reason they won in Perth is because they got 400-500 runs on the board in second innings."
Ganguly is happy to senior pacer Mohammad Shami’s return to full fitness after an extended injury hiatus.
"I'm happy to see Shami fit because I think he's probably the best bowler after (Jasprit) Bumrah in the country."
"I know he'll be a bit nervous because he's playing cricket after a long time, especially with a knee injury, but the good thing is that he bowled a lot for Bengal in the domestic cricket, which is going to help him in the games to come."
