Virat Kohli Has Taken India To Another Level But Sourav Ganguly Remains Catalyst: David Lloyd

Former cricketer-turned-commentator David Lloyd has said that while Virat Kohli has taken Indian cricket to another level, Sourav Ganguly remains the “catalyst” for the transformation of the team.

The former England cricketer was referring to the India-Australia Test rivalry in the early 2000s when the Ganguly-led India first won an epic home contest 2-1 before securing a 1-1 draw Down Under in a classic four-Test series to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

In 2001, India had stunned the all-conquering Australian side to win the series at home. After losing the series-opener by ten wickets, the hosts had gone on to win the following two games to end Australia’s record 16-match winning run in Tests. 2 years later, Ganguly nearly led India to a series victory in Australia too but the hosts somehow managed to escape with a draw.

“I’m a massive fan of Ganguly by the way. I think Sourav Ganguly gave the team a real steel that we will not be dictated by quick bowlers because we’re going to find some of our own players,” David Lloyd said in a chat show on Sony Ten’s Pit Stop.

“It was always a suggestion that India, away from home, don’t like the bouncing ball. Ganguly went to Australia fully prepared for the bouncing ball.

“Of course, India in India, it is unbelievably difficult. But you always felt that India away from home that you’ve got every chance. Ganguly was the catalyst. Ganguly, and there was the duo of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar,” he added.

Ganguly is one of the most decorated Indian skippers. He is widely regarded as the captain who taught Indian cricket the art of winning away from home. The legendary cricketer won 21 out of 49 matches with 11 of them coming away from home.

“…Now if you’re bringing a quality spinner and you’ve got a couple of pacemen, you’re in business, not only in India, you’re in business worldwide. And I think Ganguly has been a massive influence on Indian cricket. I think he’s been the catalyst for Indian cricket to be a worldwide force,” said David Lloyd.

He further said that Kohli has taken the team to another level. David Lloyd hailed the current India skipper as fearless

“Apart from his (Kohli) greatness as a player he is a great leader. He’s a fighter and he fears nothing. That is so important. He fears nothing.”

“I think my own view about Kohli is that he is there to win matches. He’s not there to accumulate runs for himself, he is there to win matches and ‘I will lead by example because I’m the best’,” David Lloyd said.

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