I think Virat will have to wait for ODI captaincy: Sourav Ganguly

During a chat with Aaj Tak, Sourav Ganguly has pointed out that the rise of Virat Kohli will surely intensify the debate surrounding the future of MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Kohli extended India’s unbeaten streak of 18 Tests as well as five successive series victories with a comprehensive innings victory over England in the fifth and the final Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. He feels that the upcoming white-ball series against England as a ‘critical one’ for the 35-year old wicket-keeper batsman.

When asked about the captaincy conundrum, Ganguly felt, “While it is a justified question and I am sure Virat’s Test success will put pressure on the selectors, I think Virat will have to wait (for some time). He will become the captain in ODIs too one day and it’s just a matter of when. But the selectors will mull who they see as captain in the 2019 World Cup and then plan accordingly. I feel the (limited-overs) England series will be critical for Dhoni.”

England, after handing over the Test series are now on a Christmas holiday will return for the white-ball leg which begins from January 15. The three ODIs will be followed by a 3-match T20I series. With the Champions Trophy set to take place in June, the six limited-overs contests serve as the only preparation for the tournament as five Tests (1 against Bangladesh and 4 against Australia) also remain in the home season.

According to another former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, the transition may not happen soon.

Azharuddin predicted, “The England ODIs will be important. But if you ask me, I feel the selectors won’t go against Dhoni at this stage. Yes, Virat’s success in Tests will make him a strong candidate but the selectors will have to phase him in with full conviction keeping in mind Dhoni’s record. But we will see which way it goes before the Champions Trophy in June.”

More pertinently, Dhoni had earlier expressed his desire to keep playing until the 2019 World Cup with his gaze firmly placed at adding yet another ICC trophy to his already glowing cabinet of tournament success.