Ganguly: Virat Kohli will roam shirtless on street if India win World Cup in England

Kolkata: Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was all praise for Team India captain Virat Kohli, noting his struggles in England back in 2014 and how he scored four hundreds in Australia later on.

The ‘Prince of Kolkata’ was speaking during a book launch in Kolkata on Saturday.

“Virat struggled in England (in 2014) and in less than six months’ time he scored four hundreds in four Tests in Australia. I’ve not seen any Indian batsman play so well in Australia,” said Ganguly.

The former captain said the change in culture had come under his captaincy. "We were always a good team at home, the pitches spun. We had the best spinners and at times we never needed to captain. Every time I got tired, I would stand at point and let Kumble and Harbhajan do the job,” he said.

Sourav Ganguly is well-known for famously removing his Indian jersey after India’s two-wicket victory against England at Lord’s in the Natwest series final back in 2002.

Almost 16 years after his India team pulled off a remarkable chase to win the NatWest Series at the mecca of cricket, former captain Ganguly foresees another shirt-waving act next year.

“I can guarantee that, if he (Virat) wins the World Cup final at Lord’s in 2019. We better get our cameras ready, as he’s got six packs, I would not be surprised if he’s on Oxford Street with the trophy and his shirt off,” the former KKR batsman added.

Kohli, who was also present at the event which took place on Saturday, also recalled how he reacted to the win.

"The game started off brilliantly and Dada (Saurav) and Viru (Virender Sehwag) came out all guns blazing. I thought this is our game because those totals back in the days were very difficult to get, especially against England in England in a Final. I slept off when we were 150 for 5 because I could not take the sadness," he recollected.

"When I saw that moment happen... I think it is very difficult for people to understand but those things are so organic, so pure that you just go with with without worrying about judgement or what are people are going to say about you," the 29-year-old added.

"It was in the Lord's balcony but it could have been anywhere in the world. That was just the pure happiness coming through after you have achieved something against the odds," the talismanic skipper continued.

Kohli, who is the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will lead his team in their first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Sunday.