Virat Kohli as captain the most important man in Indian cricket: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly
Former India captain and new BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has thrown his weight behind current skipper Virat Kohli as he fielded questions from reporters in his maiden press conference as the governing body's chief.
In Short
- Sourav Ganguly took charge as BCCI President on Wednesday
- Ganguly termed India as the best team in the world at the moment
- Ganguly also said that that he will meet Virat Kohli on October 24
New BCCI president Sourav Ganguly who took charge of his new role on Wednesday, tried to shift the focus from himself while terming India captain Virat Kohli as the 'most important man' in the country as far as cricket sphere is concerned. Holding his maiden press conference after assuming his new role, Ganguly reiterated that he will sit down with Kohli and support him in taking the country's cricket forward.
"I will speak to him tomorrow. He is the captain of India. He is the most important man in Indian cricket. I look at that way. We will support him in every way. He wants to make this team the best in the world. It's a great team... the way they have been a fantastic side with the way they have played their cricket in the last 3-4 years. Yes, you can say they haven't won the World Cup but you don't win World Cups every time. Hopefully, we will support whatever he wants and ensure Indian cricket moves forward smoothly," said Ganguly.
On relationship with Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri
"I don't what transpired with the CoA, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. Now with the new office bearers taking over, it will be properly discussed, there will be a mutual discussion. But be rest assured, we are here to make their life easier and not difficult. Everything will be based on performance. Performance is the most important thing and that's what will decide the future of Indian cricket. As I said, Virat Kohli is the most important man in this context. We will be there to support him. We will listen to him. I have been a captain myself and I understand from that position. It's mutual respect which will be there. Opinions will be there, discussions will be there and we will do what is best for Indian cricket," added Ganguly.
Sourav Ganguly arrived at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Wednesday for the AGM. Notably, Ganguly filed his nomination for the role of BCCI president after the eleventh-hour drama earlier this month. He has been elected unopposed as the president of richest body in world cricket.
Ganguly is likely to serve only 9 months as BCCI president as the "Cooling-Off" period clause in the new BCCI constitution makes it mandatory for board officials to step down after 6 years in office. Ganguly, who played 113 Tests and 311 one-day internationals and led India to 21 Test wins, has already been an administrator for his home state association, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
Sourav Ganguly is only the 2nd India cricketer after Maharaja of Vizianagaram to don the role of BCCI president. His nomination was validated by BCCI's electoral officer N Gopalaswami last week.