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'Can Do Anything' - When Sourav Ganguly Praised Virat Kohli For His Aggressive Nature

image-lo9n2b65Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli (Twitter)

Even as his tenure as the former BCCI president remains infamous for Virat Kohli's controversial axing from ODI captaincy, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has always publicly held the modern-day batting legend in awe for his aggressive streak and competitive outlook at the international stage. 

A strong, forthright personality, Kohli has never shied away from a challenge, which is a quality Ganguly has admired over the years, having been a passionate and expressive Indian captain himself in his prime. Ganguly loves Kohli's unabashed attitude on the cricket field and sometimes fears for repercussions in case the unfazed Delhiite crosses the line. 


The experienced head once expressed his amusing worry for Kohli on prime-time television, insisting we shall not urge the great cricketer to do anything to put the opposition off the hook, for he could easily do it at the expense of the ICC regulations and the code of conduct for players. 

Ganguly's Amusing Worry For Kohli 

Ganguly's remarks came while sitting alongside former India teammate Virender Sehwag in front of the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan in a special episode of the famous 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. 

In an old clip from the show, Ganguly and Amitabh are seen discussing the former's memorable shirt-waving gesture upon winning the epic 2002 Natwest Final at Lord's. 


Ganguly reminded the actor and show host that his gesture was a statement in response to England allrounder Andrew Flintoff, who had taken his shirt off in Kolkata in celebrations for his team's 3-3 series-levelling win in the ODI series played earlier that year. 

Amitabh sat their with proud listening to Ganguly's story and urged Indian cricketers to never feel bogged down by oppositions and respond in equal measure as given. 

Ganguly then referred to Kohli and said: 

"Sir please be careful what you say, don't push too much, (because) if Virat Kohli listened to it, he might do this (take his shirt off) on the Oxford street in England as a response to England's jeering. Virat Kohli can do anything."