Sourav Ganguly was the catalyst, Virat Kohli taking Indian cricket to another level – David Lloyd

England former batsman and now a commentator David Lloyd has heaped praise on former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and current skipper Virat Kohli. Lloyd stated Sourav Ganguly was the catalyst whereas Kohli is taking Indian cricket to new heights. Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly was able to get the best out of his players and led from the front.

Lloyd added that the Indian team was a force to reckon with during Ganguly’s tenure as captain. Ganguly made sure that the team performed up to the mark in the foreign conditions and they were not a pushover side.

The Indian team started ticking the right boxes under Ganguly’s captaincy and performed at the top of their game. The results were palpable and the team grew in confidence with time.

Ganguly led India in 49 Test matches, in which the team won 21 and lost 13 whereas 15 ended in a draw. On the other hand, Ganguly led in 146 ODI matches in which the team won 76 and lost 65 whereas there was no result in five games.

“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.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli is now taking Indian cricket to great heights. Kohli is a fearless captain and he likes to take the bull by its horns. The Indian captain is getting the best out of the pace battery and he has played a key role in their development. Lloyd added that Kohli wants to win matches for the team and he doesn’t care about his personal milestones.

“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’,” Lloyd said.

Virat Kohli is doing a fine job for the Indian team and he would like to continue in a similar manner. Kohli is getting the best out of the players and he is also one of the best batsmen in the world.

Kohli has led India in 181 matches across the three forms in which the team has won on 117 occasions whereas they have lost 47. Hence, Kohli has a winning percent of 64.64.