Kolkata: Virender Sehwag doesn’t mince words. And he wears his heart on his sleeve. The former dashing Indian opening batsman is of the view that Virat Kohli is good enough to be as good a leader as former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.
The stress is on winning overseas, which Ganguly’s Team India has always exhibited and Sehwag feels Kohli’s team has it in it to do well outside the sub-continent. Speaking to PTI, Sehwag said, “I believe this team under Virat has the quality and capability of winning Test matches outside the sub-continent. They can definitely emulate the performances of the team that played under Sourav Ganguly and won Test matches in England and Australia.”
“The potential of the batting unit with Virat as the leader, we have all seen. You need a good bowling attack to take wickets. We have a brilliant bowler like Mohammed Shami. We have Umesh Yadav and someone like Ishant Sharma, who can also win India matches,” the holder of two triple centuries in Tests added.
“There is no reason why they can’t replicate their performances at home in overseas conditions,” said Sehwag. Coming from a person who has played a lot under Ganguly and who rates the Prince of Calcutta highly as a leader, Sehwag’s words would be music to Kohli’s ears.
Kohli has so far led India in 20 Test matches with 12 victories including 4 overseas. Ganguly on the other hand, has an enviable record of leading India in 11 Test match triumphs abroad including wins in England, Australia, West Indies and Zimbabwe. India under Kohli has only won twice outside the sub-continent (West Indies).
But, Kohli is yet to tour England, South Africa and New Zealand as captain. The 28-year-old Indian Test captain has opportunities galore awaiting him. If Kohli’s men can rise to the occasion under tough conditions in England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, the Indian captain might as well surpass Ganguly’s feat.
But, yes Kohli’s captaincy skills will be tested outside the sub-continent. Even, Kohli would second that.