Ganguly: We are here to make life easier for Kohli and Co.

After Sourav Ganguly took charge as BCCI president, speculations were rife that there could be a coaching staff overhaul, but he insisted on making life easier.

Published : Oct 23, 2019 17:19 IST , Mumbai

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has promised to have a discussion with India skipper Virat Kohli on his idea of top five Test venues.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has promised to have a discussion with India skipper Virat Kohli on his idea of top five Test venues.
lightbox-info

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has promised to have a discussion with India skipper Virat Kohli on his idea of top five Test venues.

Soon after taking charge as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly, made it clear that the new apex council will back India captain Virat Kohli in every possible manner.

“I will speak to him tomorrow. He is the most important man in Indian cricket, being the captain of the team. I will have a word with him and we will support him in every possible way. (We understand) he wants to make this team the best in the world,” Ganguly said on Wednesday.

"It’s a great team to be honest, seeing the cricket they have played in the last three or four years."

Even though the side has been consistent over the past few years, it has failed to win a title at an ICC event since 2013. “They have been a fantastic side. Yes, they haven't won a World Cup but you don’t win a World Cup every time,” Ganguly said.

After Ganguly took charge, speculations were rife that there could be an overhaul in coaching staff, but the former captain insisted that they are here to ‘make life easier’ for the players and support staff.

READ: New start for BCCI as Sourav Ganguly stresses on credibility

“Be rest assured, we are here to make their life easier and not make their life difficult. Everything will be on the basis of performance and that will decide the future of Indian cricket. We will be there to support Kohli, we will listen to him,” he said.

“I have been a captain myself and I understand from that position and we will deal with it. It’s a mutual respect which will be there, opinions will be there, discussions will be there and we will do what’s best for the game.”

After clinching the Test series against South Africa 3-0, Kohli had said in India there should be only top five Test venues -- on the lines of Australian cricketing model.

Ganguly said, he will deliberate with Kohli on the issue. “In terms of Test cricket venues, we have a lot of states and venues. We will have to sit and see what he wants and take it forward from there.” the former India captain said.

ALSO READ: Sourav Ganguly takes charge as BCCI president

After filing his nominations as the president last week, Ganguly had said that his priority will be to develop domestic cricket. Reiterating, Ganguly said: “That’s the first thing we will do and we will get it done before the Ranji Trophy season begins.”

Talking about the changes required in the domestic cricketing structure, Ganguly said: “The structures are there. There are a lot more teams now. When I or my colleagues played, there were 1000 games, now there are 2000 games. We will have to make sure the best tournament is competitive because that’s where you get Kohlis or MS Dhonis, Rohit Sharmas or Ajinkya Rahanes of Indian cricket. That structure had to be at it’s best -- both structure wise and financially. That's the first thing the Apex Council will look after,” the new Board chief assured.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment