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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised current captain Rohit Sharma ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, expressing hope for India to clinch the title. Ganguly also discussed the inclusion of Shivam Dube in India’s playing XI against South Africa.
Rohit Sharma has been leading India effectively, emerging as the team’s top scorer in the tournament. The experienced opener has amassed 248 runs in 7 matches at an impressive average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 155.97. Notably, he scored consecutive fifties in the last two matches against Australia and England.
Speaking to reporters, Sourav Ganguly praised Rohit Sharma for elevating India into a formidable team. Ganguly expressed his belief that India’s achievement of reaching two World Cup finals in seven months is a significant accomplishment.
“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 affirmed his support for India sticking with the same lineup despite Shivam Dube’s recent string of low scores. He expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma’s leadership to secure the title this time around.
“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 threw his support behind Virat Kohli despite his lackluster form in the T20 World Cup 2024, expressing optimism that Kohli had reserved his best performance 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 lauded India’s head coach Rahul Dravid for his successful tenure and expressed hope that Dravid could conclude 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 questioned about India’s future head coach, Ganguly endorsed Gautam Gambhir for the role. “I think he will be the next coach (for Team India). Wish him all the luck,” Ganguly said.
India is set to square off against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final in Bridgetown, Barbados. The highly anticipated match promises to be intense as both teams have maintained unbeaten records throughout the tournament.
