Legendary Indian batter compares Sourav Ganguly's captaincy style with Virat Kohli 

A day after India lost the Test series against South Africa early this year, Virat Kohli stepped down as the captain of the Indian Cricket Test team. In terms of win-loss record, Virat Kohli is the most successful Indian captain in Test Cricket history. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership in Tests, India won 40 Tests out of 68 matches. MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly sit at second and third position with 27 and 21 wins respectively.

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However, former Indian cricketer, Virender Sehwag believes that Sourav Ganguly was a much better captain than Virat Kohli. Speaking in an episode of ‘Home of Heroes’ on Sports 18, Virender Sehwag highlighted on the fact that Ganguly built a new team during his tenure as captain. He brought in new players and backed them to the hilt, something which wasn’t done by Virat Kohli.

“Sourav Ganguly built a new team, brought in new players, and backed them through their highs and lows. I doubt if Kohli did that in his tenure,” Sehwag said.

“In my opinion, the #1 captain is the one who builds a team and gives confidence to his players. He (Kohli) backed some players, some he did not,” he added.

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The legendary Indian opener also feels that opening with Rishabh Pant in the limited over’s cricket could be a great idea. Sehwag believes that Pant can achieve great success if he opens the innings for India in white-ball cricket

“We don’t play limited-overs to score 50 or 100 but to score at a brisk pace, no matter the situation or the opposition. At no. 4 or 5, he will find himself in situations that demand greater responsibility, but if he opens, he will be far more successful,”

Virender Sehwag also stressed the inclusion of Prithvi Shaw in the Test team. The 43-year old believes that India could chase even 400 quite easily in Test Cricket if both Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant will be part of the Indian Test team.

“He (Shaw) is a player who can bring back the excitement in Test cricket,” Sehwag said before adding, “Opposition will have to think if 400 would be enough with Shaw and Pant in our ranks.”