I expect them to be on top shape before the world cup: Sourav Ganguly

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is confident that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be in "top shape" before the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia after having a horror season with the bat in the IPL 2022.

In an interview with Mid Day, Ganguly was asked a question concerning the current form of the Indian skipper and ex-skipper. Ganguly thrashed all the concerns over the duo's state by saying he's not worried about them.

"I'm not worried at all about the form of Virat Kohli or Rohit. Kohli is too good…real big players. The World Cup is far away, and I am quite confident that he will be in top shape much before the tournament," Sourav Ganguly told MIDDAY in an interview.

Both Virat and Rohit have been India's mainstays in the batting department since England's ICC Champions Trophy 2013. But they've struggled to find form in the ongoing IPL 2022. 

Virat has accounted for only 236 runs at a strike rate of 113.46 in 13 games in the 15th edition of the cash-rich league. However, the highlights for the ex-RCB skipper this season would be his three golden ducks and a solitary half-century.

This slump has continued for a long time now, and even after being relieved of the captaincy duties, Kohli has shown signs of poor form. 

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma who will lead India in the World Cup later this year has scored 218 runs in 12 games at just 18.17 with a modest strike rate of 125.29. He's yet to score a half-century this season and already has five single-digit scores and a duck to his name.

With the ICC T20 World Cup just around the corner, the two experienced batters need to find their lost form again in order to strengthen India's chances of winning their second T20 World title.

Meanwhile, the BCCI president also talked about the fast bowling options that impressed him so far in the IPL 2022. He backed Sunrisers Hyderabad's express pacer, Umran Malik, to get a national call-up.

"How many can bowl at 150 km? Not many. I won't be surprised if he gets picked for the national team. We have to be careful in using him, though. Umran is the fastest. I also like Kuldeep Sen. Also, T Natarajan has made a comeback. We will have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Finally, it is up to the selectors," said Ganguly.