Sourav Ganguly hails Virat Kohli as the 'greatest white-ball player'

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has dismissed concerns about Virat Kohli's recent slump in form, hailing him as the "greatest white-ball player" and a "once-in-a-lifetime cricketer."
Despite Kohli's impressive century in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, he struggled in the subsequent innings, scoring only 85 runs in the next seven innings.

India's senior players, including Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, failed to deliver, resulting in a 1-3 series loss to Australia.
"Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. To score 81 international centuries in a career is something unbelievable. For me, he's probably the greatest white-ball player the world has seen," Ganguly said during a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB)felicitation programme for the state's players.
Ganguly expressed surprise at Kohli's inability to build on his Perth century throughout the remainder of the series.
"I was really surprised the way he batted after getting a 100 in Perth. He struggled before that but I thought after the 100 in Perth, it'll be a big series for him."

"But I think it happens. Every player has his weakness and strength. You know, there's no player in the world, who will not have that. It's how you adapt to your weaknesses as you play great bowlers over a period of time."
Ganguly remains confident that Kohli will regain his form in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the subsequent Champions Trophy.
"He will score runs in this tournament in Indian conditions, and I still feel there's a lot of cricket left in Virat Kohli, the tour of England will be a big challenge for him."
"I'm not too worried about his form in the Champions Trophy, because as I said, he's probably the best white-ball player the world has seen for a long period of time."

Ganguly also believes that India will be one of the favourites in the Champions Trophy, citing their recent success in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they finished as runners-up, and their unbeaten run to the T20 World Cup title last year.
"I know India did not have a great series in Australia, but if you look at the last two World Cups, the T20 World Cup India won it unbeaten, and the 50-over World Cup India lost their final."
"So if you look at India's performance in the last two World Cups, they've just lost one game, in almost about 20 of them. So, I think it's a phenomenal white ball team. For me, they will be the favourites in the Champions Trophy."
Ganguly also backed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to bounce back in the Champions Trophy.
"Rohit Sharma in white-ball cricket is phenomenal, and you will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts. And as I said, they (India) will be one of the contenders in the tournament."
However, Ganguly stressed that India needs to improve their Test cricket performance, especially with their upcoming series in England this summer.
"Come England in July, they'll have to really work hard to play well there because the conditions are different. The red ball and the seaming, swinging pitches, they'll have to bat a bit better than what they have done."
"I've always said that if you score 350 to 400 runs in first innings of Test matches away from home, you get yourself in a position to win Test matches."
"Now if you're getting out for less than 200, then you're always fighting from behind. And the reason they won in Perth is because they got 400-500 runs on the board in second innings."
Ganguly expressed delight at seeing pacer Mohammed Shami return to full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff.
"I'm happy to see Shami fit because I think he's probably the best bowler after (Jasprit) Bumrah in the country."
"I know he'll be a bit nervous because he's playing cricket after a long time, especially with a knee injury, but the good thing is that he bowled a lot for Bengal in the domestic cricket, which is going to help him in the games to come."
Shami is set to make his international comeback in the first T20I against England on Wednesday.
Ganguly also endorsed Shami's return to Test cricket, emphasizing his importance to the team's success.
"He's as good as anybody in the world. Shami and Bumrah bowling at two ends is different than Bumrah bowling from one end. Both players are vital to each other's success in Test cricket."
Amid the criticism faced by Team India following their loss to Australia, Ganguly highlighted the significance of focusing on performance and maintaining a strong mindset.
"There's so much at stake with sport these days, and there will be negativity and opinions. As an athlete, you need to find a way to keep yourself out of it."