Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly revealed that he had to convince Rohit Sharma to take over as Indian captain in the 2021/22 season.

India have had a phenomenal run at the 2023 World Cup, winning all eight of their matches so far. Captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, currently at the helm of this all-conquering unit, were both appointed in the 2021/22 season.

Sourav Ganguly, who had led India between 2000 and 2005, was the president of the BCCI when Ravi Shastri’s stint as head coach came to an end. At roughly the same period of time, Virat Kohli resigned as T20I and Test captain, and was sacked as ODI captain.

Dravid’s initial reluctance to take over the role from Shastri is well known. In an interview on November 9, Ganguly told Kolkata TV that Rohit, too, had not too keen to succeed Virat Kohli.

“Rohit Sharma wasn’t keen [to take over as captain]. I had to convince him. It had gone to a stage when I told him if you do not agree, I shall appoint you captain,” Ganguly told the channel.

Ganguly explained why he had been keen on Rohit: “He is an outstanding captain. Once Virat Kohli quit, he was the best man to lead India, and I am not surprised at what I am seeing.”

Ganguly speculated that Rohit’s initial reluctance might have had to do with the fact that he played “a lot of cricket – Test cricket, ODIs, T20Is, leading in the IPL” and had a lot on his platter.

However, Ganguly, who believed that the Indian captain’s job is more important than anything else, convinced Rohit to take over the role across formats.

Having already secured the top spot in the points table, India will play their last league match against the Netherlands on November 12.

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