India has tremendous players but World Cups are about winning semi-finals and finals: Sourav Ganguly

India was on the brink of lifting the 2019 World Cup last year but the winning run of the Virat Kohli-led side was halted by New Zealand in the semi-final. India, who flaunted a dominant display in the group stages, bowed down against Kiwis while chasing a modest target of 240 runs.

The Men in Blue suffered a batting collapse as India were quickly reduced to 5 for 3, 24 for 4, 71 for 5 and 92 for 6. A 116-run stand between MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja tried to save the sinking ship but India eventually fell short by a margin of 18 runs.

Reflecting on India’s performance in the showpiece event, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said that World Cups are about winning semi-finals and finals. According to Ganguly, India has ‘tremendous’ players but they need to perform in semi-finals and finals to clinch the World Cup trophies.

Ganguly himself was also on the verge of lifting the World Cup in 2003. However, India’s impressive run was cut short by Australia in the final of the mega-event.

“We will (win). In England, we played well, we lost the important game. The World Cups are like that. We played exceptionally well in 2003 and lost the final. That’s what the World Cup is.

We will have a chance every time. We have tremendous players in this team who can take away World Cups. Then the World Cups are also about winning semi-finals and finals,” Sourav Ganguly said in the latest episode of India Today Inspiration.

I’ve been in touch with Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid: Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly also revealed that he has been in constant touch with India captain Virat Kohli and NCA head Rahul Dravid to plan resumption of Indian sporting scenario. However, the rise in COVID-19 cases across the country has left the players worried. Ganguly termed the current situation in Mumbai, where skipper Kohli is currently living, as an ‘absolute nightmare’.

“Yeah, I am in touch with them. I have spoken to the captain a couple of times. I am in touch with the NCA head. Players are also very worried because the numbers are so high. The captain comes from Mumbai where it’s an absolute nightmare at the moment. So it’s quite natural that he will be a little worried. All of us are,” said Ganguly.

Ganguly also expressed his worry regarding the Future Tours Program (FTP), saying that even the slightest of changes would affect international cricket.

“It’s applicable for everything. Domestic cricket is still fine. Even if you delay it by 2 months, it doesn’t make that sort of a difference but if you’re delaying international cricket, the FTPs and the IPL, every cycle goes for a toss. The World Test Championship goes for a toss, the ODI championship goes for a toss, so everything changes,” said the current BCCI president.