Sourav Ganguly labels Virat Kohli as 'once-in-a-lifetime cricketer'

After a lean slump in batting from which has accompanied Virat Kohli since the past few months, there have been several question marks lingering as far as his future in international cricket is concerned. The speculations on his uncertainty have increased all the more with important ICC tournaments and bilateral tours coming up.

Former Indian cricketer, Sourav Ganguly, complimented Kohli by comparing him to the likes of legends of women's cricket, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, and expressed that his weak performances in Australia came as a surprise to him.

“Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer, like Mithali is, like Jhulan is. To score 80 (81) hundreds in international cricket is incredible. To me, he is the greatest white-ball player the world has seen. But I was really surprised by the way he batted in Australia after the hundred in Perth. He struggled before that here (in India), but I thought after the hundred in Perth, it would be a big series for him,” shared Ganguly in a conversation with Revsportz in Kolkata.

The former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, felt that Kohli had a lot to offer to cricket.

"But it happens. I think every player has his weaknesses and strengths, but what matters is how you adapt to your weaknesses as you play great cricket over a period of time. I still feel there is a lot of cricket left in Virat Kohli,” added Ganguly.

The tour of England will be a big challenge for him: Ganguly

Ganguly was a bit apprehensive on how Kohli would fare during India's five-match tour to England, scheduled to commence in June this year.

“And the tour of England will be a big challenge for him. I’m not too worried about his form in the Champions Trophy because he is the best white-ball player the world has seen in a long time. He will score runs in this tournament in these conditions," he noted.

The former Indian skipper explained what was needed from Kohli & Co. to triumph in overseas conditions, such as those presented in England. 

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“But when it comes to red-ball cricket, on seaming and swinging pitches, they will need to bat better than they did in Australia. I’ve always said if you score 350–400 runs in the first innings of Test matches overseas, you put yourself in a position to win. If you are bowled out for less than 200, you are always fighting for survival. The reason they won in Perth was because they put 400–500 runs on the board,” stated Ganguly.