India has to perform well overseas to be hailed as the best team ever: Sourav Ganguly

The former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has opined that the current Indian team is not the best ever in the history of the game. Virat Kohli led Indian side celebrated their ninth successive series win on Wednesday after the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka ended in a draw. The team is also at the perch of the Test rankings thanks to their winning run in the format. However, Dada feels that they should perform extremely well overseas to prove themselves as the best team ever in the World.

The grand home season is on its way to finish which was owned like a fortress by the Men in Blue across all the formats. They won all the Test and ODI series comfortably with only Australia and New Zealand pushing them to the corner in the course respectively. Though they were not at their best in the shortest format, they didn’t lose a series to any of their opponents. Also, the team is now ready to embark on their toughest tour to South Africa where India has struggled to win the series.

Australia and West Indies were the best

Sourav Ganguly praised Kohli and his team for winning most of the matches but felt the upcoming overseas tours will determine their character. It’s too early to say, you only say after they have completed the entire circle of home and away. They have just done the home bit, I think 90 percent of cricket they played in those nine series wins was at home and then they go away now for the remaining about 15 Test matches on the trot away. So, if they can do well, yes why not [call them the best],” he said while speaking to India Today.

“Best in the world and history is Australia, during our era and the West Indies in our time. We [current Indian team] have nine series win, out which I think seven in India so, they have to go away and do well,” the 45-year-old added. He also said that 2018 will be very important for Kohli as captain which will prove if he has the potential to be rated among the greats of the game.

“What will be important for Virat is not just numbers but the legacy. When you judge captain, how good they are, whether they are greats or all-time greats, it’s also about the legacy and about what they do. “As I said 15 Test matches to follow, if he does well, wins a series away and does well in England, South Africa and Australia, he will be hailed as one of the greats,” Dada concluded.