Virat Kohli Is More Skilful Than Me: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly

Virat Kohli played a remarkable 61-ball 122 unbeaten knock during India's final Super 4 clash against Afghanistan in Dubai on Thursday.

Ganguly said in terms of skill set, Kohli is ahead of him.

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New Delhi: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly praised 'back-in-form' Virat Kohli, saying the star batter is "more skilf

ul" than him as a player. Virat, after a month-long break, made a dream comeback to national team by scoring a blazing ton at the Asia Cup in a format he least expected to, his first ton in international cricket after 1020 days. Virat played a remarkable 61-ball 122 unbeaten knock during India's final Super 4 clash against Afghanistan in Dubai on Thursday. With this, Virat (71) equalled Ricky Pontings' record of most tons in international cricket. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar tops the elite list with 100 centuries. 

Both played aggressive brand of cricket as captains, but Ganguly said in terms of skill set, Kohli is ahead of him.

"I don't think that (captaincy) should be the comparison... The comparison should be in terms of skill as a player. I think he is more skilful than I'm," Ganguly said of Kohli in the 'Ranveer Show' on YouTube.

Showering praise on Kohli, Ganguly further said: "We played in different generations, and we played a lot of cricket. I played in my generation, and he will continue playing, probably playing more games than I did.

"Currently, I have played more than what he has but he'll get past that. He is tremendous." "Cricket has become a bit more hectic, busy. COVID for the last two seasons has made it even tougher because of quarantine and all that went on. But the rewards are good." Asked whether he gave Kohli any advice when he was struggling for form, Ganguly said: "I don't get to see them. The poor guys travel a lot." "Everybody has been under media scrutiny. Just the names keep changing over a period of time. I won't get to know half of it because I didn't read so much. I would enter a hotel and the first thing I would say at the reception, 'Boss, don't put the newspaper under my door in the morning'.

"But now, obviously, it's a lot more; social media is on your computer and phone. But I think cricketers find a way to shut that off," Ganguly added.

Ganguly said cricketers should take the setbacks positively.

"I didn't go through any trauma. I just had good days and bad days. I had less pressure, a bit more pressure and too much pressure... I don't consider it as trauma.

"Young people should also look at it that way. I can say it now because I'm a bit more experienced. But the young ones should look at it as an opportunity and move on." On today's fast-paced game, Ganguly said: "The game is different. It has gotten faster, shorter, more sixes, more boundaries, and not many deliveries left outside the off stump. The game has changed."

(With PTI Inputs)