Shivam Dube all set to be benched in T20 World Cup final vs South Africa? Rohit Sharma's strategy exposed by Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly lauded India's current captain Rohit Sharma before the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa and wished India could win the title this time. He also dwelled upon Shivam Dube's place in India's playing 11 vs South Africa.

Rohit Sharma has led India from the front and is the highest run-scorer for the team in this tournament so far. The veteran opener has scored 248 runs in 7 matches so far at an average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 155.97. His last two fifties came in the last two games against Australia and England.

Also read: Virat Kohli OUT; Rashid Khan captain instead of Rohit Sharma- Cricket Australia announces the Team of T20 World Cup 2024

Sourav Ganguly hails Rohit Sharma for making India a formidable team

During an interaction with the reporters, Sourav Ganguly believed that India is a very strong team and that reaching two World Cup finals in seven months is no mean feat.

"I had made one suggestion at the start of the tournament. Go and play freely because this is a T20 format and they've done it. They're a very strong team and I said that at the start also. To get to two World Cup finals in 7 months speaks volumes about the capability & strength of the team," Ganguly said when asked about India's second consecutive ICC final after the ODI World Cup final in 2023.

Ganguly also backed India to go with the same team despite Shivam Dube's continuous run of low scores. He backed Rohit Sharma to win the title this time.

"They will not make any changes to the team and this is Rohit Sharma's leadership style. It will be the same team...I wish they win it tomorrow," Ganguly said.

'He is a once in a lifetime player' - Sourav Ganguly on Virat Kohli's bad form

Ganguly backed Virat Kohli after his poor run of form in the T20 World Cup 2024. He hoped that Kohli had saved his best for the final.

"Don't even talk about Virat Kohli. He is a once-in-a-lifetime player. He is human. He will have 3-4 bad games. But I'll have my fingers crossed for him in the final," the former Indian captain said.

Ganguly also praised India head coach Rahul Dravid for his successful stint as India head coach and hoped that he could finish his coaching stint with an ICC trophy.

"He (Rahul Dravid) is a big player. He has played three World Cups with me and was also the vice-captain when I was the captain of the team. We've been a part of some great Indian victories in Pakistan, Australia, and in England. He was the coach when India reached the World Cup final last October. He is again in a World Cup final. Hope he wins it this time," the former India opener stated.

When asked about India's next head coach, Ganguly backed Gautam Gambhir to do the job. "I think he will be the next coach (for Team India). Wish him all the luck," Ganguly said.

India will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final at Bridgetown, Barbados. The match is likely to be of high intensity since both teams have been unbeaten in the tournament so far.