Sourav Ganguly believes MS Dhoni still has plenty to offer Indian cricket

MS Dhoni backed by Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly dismissed any speculation about MS Dhoni’s diminishing return as captain and backed India’s ODI and T20 captain to represent India “for some more years”, reports TOI.

When the squad for the tour of Australia was announced, MS Dhoni was also confirmed as the captain until the World T20 in March, which raised speculation as to whether he will quit at the end of tournament, having already announced his retirement from the longest format of the game last December.

"Dhoni is a great cricketer and set standards at international arena. He still has cricket left in him to represent India for some more years,” Ganguly told reporters in Jamshedpur.

When asked about who will lead the country in the next World Cup in England, the southpaw said: "We have still time to decide the ODI captain (for the World Cup), which is to be held in 2019.”

Before adding, "One will have to work hard and perform to reach the level of Dhoni, who has set standard in the cricket arena in the world.”

Virat Kohli, who recently led the Test side to a 3-0 win over South Africa at home, has been praised by one and all, with many seeing him as the long-term replacement for Dhoni, who they consider to be on a downward slide.

When asked whether the aggressive Kohli can lead his country for a long time, like Ganguly did and Dhoni is currently doing, the southpaw’s answer was in the affirmative.

"He has been performing well and is efficient enough to lead the country forward," he said.

Ganguly, who is currently the president of Cricket Association of Bengal, also praised the selectors for their decision to pick Yuvraj Singh in the T20 squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.

When asked about whether the World Cup winner can live up to the hype generated by the decision to pick him in the squad, the 44-year-old said: "I am confident that he will perform and prove his mettle.”

Ganguly had previously made his views clear on the India-Pakistan series, which he wants to go through.