Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly believes that winning IPL is more difficult than winning a World Cup, as the team needs to play 14 games to reach the playoffs in the Indian Premier League, whereas in ICC events the team usually needs four to five games to make into the semifinals.
Team India has struggled over the past decade in the crucial matches of ICC events following their Champions Trophy triumph in 2013. In the nearly 10 years since the 2013 Champions Trophy win, India has lost four ICC semi-finals and as many finals.
Speaking to the media, Sourav Ganguly feels that Rohit Sharma was the best option for the Indian captaincy after Virat Kohli, as he won five titles for Mumbai Indians and also lead India to win the Asia Cup in 2018 and Nidhas Trophy 2018 and believes that the Indian selectors have picked the best option available for captaincy slot during 2021.
“The selectors needed a captain after Virat left and Rohit was the best that time. He had won 5 IPL trophies and done well at the international level as well; he won the Asia Cup. He was the best option. India also played in the final of the Test championship, although we lost”.
“Even two years ago, we lost the WTC final. We reached the semis of the T20 World Cup. So, the selectors picked that person who was the best for the job,” Sourav Ganguly said.
Since India’s win in the 2013 Champions Trophy, they have advanced to the ODI World Cup semifinals in 2015, the T20 World Cup final in 2016, the ODI World Cup final in 2019, and the 2021 WTC Final but could not go one step further in the big tournaments as the team fell short of the title, despite doing well in the league stages of the tournament.
Winning The IPL Is More Difficult Than Winning A World Cup – Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly expressed his confidence in the leadership of Rohit Sharma, as he showed the ability to lead Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and believes that winning an IPL is even more difficult than winning a World Cup, which is a longer tournament.
“I have full faith in Rohit. He and MS Dhoni have won 5 IPL titles. Winning the IPL isn’t easy because it’s a tough tournament. Winning the IPL is more difficult than winning a World Cup as there are 14 matches after which you take part in the playoffs. In the World Cup, it takes only 4-5 matches for a place in the semis. In the IPL, it takes 17 matches for you to become champions,” Sourav Ganguly added.
Rohit Sharma is one most of the successful captains in the history of the cash-rich league with five IPL titles but could not replicate his success at the International level losing in Asia Cup 2022, T20 World Cup 2022, and WTC Final 2023 and will look to make an impact for the Indian team in ODI World Cup 2023, later this year in India.