The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president-elect and former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said he would like to see Team India focus on winning more ICC tournaments and that is an area he would like skipper Virat Kohli to address.
“My only thing is that they need to win big tournaments. They are not going to win every time but they have gone through seven tournaments without winning one,” Ganguly told reporters at the Eden Gardens.
“They are a much better side than that. That is an area they need to get ready mentally. Talent is enormous. We reached the World Cup semis. That’s an issue which Virat needs to address. It doesn’t happen in the boardroom,” said the 47-year-old.
India last won an ICC tournament in 2013 when the MS Dhoni-led side beat England in the final of the Champions Trophy.
When asked about the 50-over Champions Trophy being replaced by back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2020 and 2021, Ganguly said: “Times have changed. We will have to respect that. When the Champions Trophy came in, I was the captain at that time and it was a huge tournament. With the advent of T20, people come in more for T20 games and the ICC is going by that.”
Speaking about his priorities after taking the BCCI President charge, Ganguly said: “First-class cricketers will be my priority and we will change their life. You only look at the top but we will also look at the bottom as many gems of Indian cricket lie there and we will change their life.”
The T20I World Cup is scheduled to played in Australia next year and commenting on India’s expectation at the showpiece event, Dada said: “India is a good team and they are playing well. Yes, I know they haven’t won a big tournament, but I know they will turn things around. (Virat) Kohli is a champion player and he will turn it around.”
