Sourav Ganguly Questions Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Future as India Captain

Sourav Ganguly is not sure if Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead India in the 50-over ICC World Cup in 2019. The former captain, now a cricket administrator, is backing Virat Kohli to do the job.

Speaking to India Today, Ganguly said: "Every cricket team in the world plans their future. But my question to the selectors is three-four years down the line, do they see MS Dhoni as captain of India?"

Ganguly has always lavished praise on Dhoni and his leadership skills but he now feels it's time to pass on the baton to someone junior and performing consistently. Kohli is Ganguly's man for the hotseat.

"Dhoni has been captain for nine years, which is a long period. Does he have it in him to go for another four years? He has already given up Test cricket and now plays only ODIs and T20s," Ganguly said.

Ganguly has always lavished praise on Dhoni and his leadership skills but he now feels it's time to pass on the baton to someone junior and performing consistently. Kohli is Ganguly's man for the hotseat.

Ganguly has often compared Kohli to football legend Maradona. The 27-year-old Kohli is already India's Test captain - a successful one at that - and was the Man of the Tournament in the recently concluded ICC World T20. Kohli is the leading scorer in the Indian Premier League.

"Virat Kohli is getting better every time. He is probably the best in the world in terms of consistency. His mental energy, tenacity is unreal. His attitude on the field is superb. His record as Test captain has been good.

"So the selectors need to find an answer to whether they see Dhoni leading India in 2019? If the answer is no, then find a new captain. If the answer is yes, which I will find very very surprising, Dhoni continues," Ganguly said.

Kohli has already led India in 17 matches, scoring four centuries. Dhoni, 34, has failed to achieve that consistency with his batting order often coming under introspection.

Dhoni seems to have lost his Midas touch. His IPL team Rising Pune Supergiants are struggling in their debut year and he has often lost his trademark composure at media briefings.

"Decision on appointing Kohli as captain should go in terms of where MS goes from here? There's no disregard to him, he's been one of the greatest captains of the country," Ganguly said.