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Yuvraj Singh applauds Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy
By SMCS - Sep 28, 2024 8:40 am
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Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh applauded his first captain Sourav Ganguly for constantly sticking with youngsters, believing they would become match-winners as well. However, Yuvraj Singh started his international career under Ganguly in the 2000 Champions Trophy as well. With the veteran slowly becoming a vital cog in the ODI unit, India achieved a lot of success under Ganguly, reaching the 2000
Champions Trophy and 2003 World Cup final and being joint-winners of the 2002 Champions Trophy as well.

Sachin TendulkSachin Tendulkar and Sourav Gangulyar and Sourav Ganguly
Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly

When asked to pick his favourite Indian captain on the Club Prairie Fire YouTube Podcast, Yuvraj started with Ganguly and said, “I got in the side when Sourav (Ganguly) was the captain and he gave us a lot of confidence and a lot of chances because we were younger and we were not consistent. He stuck to us for a bit because he knew that we would be match-winners in the future. 1. When the team went to Dhoni, we had a really good coach in Gary Kirsten, who made us believe that we can win the World Cup and be the No.1 Test side.”

“Dhoni was a good captain as well. Sourav was more of being aggressive and trying to take teams head-on and what I liked about Dhoni was he would always have a Plan B. If Plan A doesn’t work, go to Plan B,” said Yuvraj in the same video as well.

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However, Ganguly led India in 195 matches across formats with the side winning 97 and losing 78 games and the other 15 finishing in draws as well. Yuvraj Singh also praised MS Dhoni as a captain who always had a secondary plan should Plan A not succeed as well. He enjoyed massive success under Dhoni’s captaincy, winning the Player of the Tournament during India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win as well. Yuvraj also played an important role in helping India win the 2007 T20 World Cup under Dhoni as well.

Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni

“Kumble became the Test captain when we toured Australia and his attitude was to take the ball when the situation was tough and not give it to another guy and when wickets are falling, let me take the ball. That kind of attitude was great and he was a leader,” Yuvraj again added.

He also opened up on the Joe Root vs Virat Kohli debate.

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“It’s a tough one. Joe Root is obviously breaking records but where you are playing also matters. If you are playing in England, obviously you’ll pick Joe Root but if you are playing all over the world, I would pick Virat Kohli because on certain wickets he can do a lot of damage. On form right now, definitely Joe Root but if you look at all formats, definitely Virat Kohli. I would go for Rohit Sharma to start if it’s T20 cricket. As a player, someone who can change the game with his batting and an outstanding captain so Rohit Sharma would be my first choice,” concluded Yuvraj Singh. “If I take anybody to be on the bench (between Dhoni and Kohli), it’s going to be a headline tomorrow.”