Graeme Smith On Ganguly's New Role (Source: @Ballu_Speaks/x.com, @CricketopiaCom/x.com)
After spending years donning India’s jersey and even serving the nation after his retirement, Team India’s one of the greatest captains, Sourav Ganguly, is on his way to start a new innings. The legendary captain will now fulfill his long-cherished coaching dream as he takes charge of Pretoria Capitals for the upcoming season.
Before the news broke out recently, not many people were aware of this surprise. But SA20 league commissioner and former South African star Graeme Smith revealed that Ganguly had quietly shared his decision with him during the 2025 WTC Final.
Graeme Smith On Ganguly’s New Role
After changing the face of Indian cricket as a player and captain, Sourav Ganguly came back as an administrator in 2019 and reshaped the game again. After hanging up boots from the game, Dada played an extensive role as a cricket administrator. Along with that, he was never away from the 22 yards as he served the Delhi Capitals as the mentor for the last few seasons.
Sourav Ganguly’s long-cherished dream of coaching finally came true. Parting ways with former coach Jonathan Trott, Pretoria Capitals appointed him as their coach for the upcoming season of the SA20 league. With that, a new era started in the franchise.
The decision was kept under wraps, but Ganguly had informed SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith during the 2025 WTC Final at Lord’s, as Smith revealed in a recent interaction with Hindustan Times.
“In and around the World Test Championship final, Dada told me that he was going to be coaching this year. He has been involved with the Capitals, Director of Cricket, among other things. Last year, he was asked, even though Jonathan Trott was here coaching. We saw Dada on countless occasions in and around learning. For us, it's exciting to have the quality of Dada as a coach," Smith said.
“The quality of coaches across the board actually is exciting. It's an exposure for our players to the great minds of the game. Look, Dada is going to come in and do things his own way. PC did not have the greatest years last season, but I am sure he will be motivated at the auction to bring quality players forward,” he added.
Taking the reigns over former Capitals coach Jonathan Trott, a big Test is waiting for Sourav Ganguly. With only three players retained, Pretoria Capitals have the huge task of building a strong squad in the upcoming auction on September 9. After some tough seasons earlier, the team will be looking forward a mighty bounce back in the new set up.
