Sourav Ganguly Backs Virat Kohli's Decision to Skip Afghanistan Test

Former India skipper, Sourav Ganguly has backed current Indian captain Virat Kohli’s decision to miss the historic One-off Test against Afghanistan.

However, the iconic Test will be starting on June 14 at Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Kohli will play County Cricket to prepare for the upcoming England series. He will represent the Surrey Cricket Club for the month of June at a very minimal salary in the United Kingdom (UK).

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Well, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted Kohli to take part in the Test as it raised many speculations.

Kohli and his men will play a five-match Test series in July against the Joe Root-led English side.

Prior to the Test series, they will engage in a three-match One-day Internationals and as many Twenty20 Internationals against England. This will give players enough time to acclimatise to the situation.

Ganguly backs Kohli’s call –

The Prince of Kolkata backed Kohli’s decision saying that a team is always judged by his team’s displays on foreign soil. He also sounded confident saying that India will beat the Afghans without Kohli.

“I think since the side is Afghanistan, he has chosen to play county. If it would have been any other team, he would have not gone. It just shows how important the England tour is for him. I have always maintained, a captain’s recognition is how well he and his team does overseas,” Ganguly said during an event as he was quoted by PTI.

The former southpaw Ganguly also lauded Indian skipper for always striving for the best and trying to win every game.

“Virat Kohli as a batsman, there is no question. As a captain, he wants to win so that is the reason (he has gone to play county). India will still beat Afghanistan without Virat Kohli. And hopefully, they can do well in England,” he added.

In conclusion, Sourav Ganguly expressed his surprise at the Indian selection committee’s decision to ignore Ajinkya Rahane for the 50-over series in England.

Also read: KL Rahul is India’s best batsman after Virat Kohli: PV Shashikanth