Sourav Ganguly Reminds Critics: ‘I Appointed Rohit Sharma Captain’

July 14, 2024 0 799

Sourav Ganguly reminded everyone that he faced criticism for appointing Rohit Sharma as captain, but now, with India winning the T20 World Cup under Rohit’s leadership, the doubters have gone silent.

Amidst significant developments in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli made a strategic decision to step down as India’s T20I captain ahead of the 2021 T20 World Cup, citing workload management as a primary reason. However, India’s disappointing exit from the tournament, coupled with Kohli’s subsequent resignations from ODI and Test captaincy roles, marked a turbulent phase.

Criticism intensified during a press interaction where Kohli revealed his abrupt replacement as ODI captain, contrasting with the BCCI’s version. In early 2022, Kohli relinquished his Test captaincy following a series loss in South Africa, sparking further scrutiny of BCCI’s leadership transition under Sourav Ganguly.

The narrative shifted dramatically when Rohit Sharma, under whom Ganguly faced earlier criticism for appointing as captain, led India to victory in the T20 World Cup. Ganguly, who faced widespread criticism for the choice, now reflected on how perceptions have shifted.

“When I handed Rohit Sharma the captaincy of the Indian team, everyone criticized me,” the former India captain told AajKal.

“Now that India has won the T20 World Cup under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, everyone has stopped abusing me for it. In fact, I think everyone has forgotten that it was I who appointed him as the captain of the Indian team,” he added.

As India prepares for a new era under head coach Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from T20Is while remaining committed to Tests and ODIs. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed their roles in next year’s Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma continues as captain for the ongoing World Test Championship cycle and the upcoming Champions Trophy.