Sourav Ganguly names three players he'd pick from 2019 WC squad for 2003 WC team

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is making sure fans stay connected with the cricketers during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. To keep fans entertained and to also answer their questions, BCCI asked netizens to send in their questions using #DadaOpensWithMayank hashtag.

With many questions flooding in, BCCI has now uploaded videos to answer these questions. “Pick three cricketers from India’s World Cup 2019 squad you would have loved to have in your World Cup 2003 squad and give reasons?,” Mayank Agarwal read the question.

In his response, Ganguly said: “(Virat) Kohli, Rohit Sharma and (Jasprit) Bumrah.” 

Explaining the reasons, Ganguly said: “The quality of fast bowler (Bumrah). We played in South Africa, although we bowled exceptionally well in that series. Bumrah, Rohit, and Virat would be in the middle. Rohit at the top, and I at no. 3. I don’t know maybe Sehwag might be listening to this and I would get a phone call tomorrow, ‘what the hell do you think’. But I would have these three in the squad,” he said.

Ganguly added that he would have picked MS Dhoni if given another option. “MS Dhoni also - but since you gave me three choices, I would have managed with Rahul Dravid behind the stumps, because I think he did a great job in the World Cup,” he said.

July 5, 2020

Mayank also read out another fan's question about the Natwest series. The fan asked, "How was it when the Indian Team reached the World Cup final under your leadership and how was it when the Indian team won the Natwest trophy? Out of these two, which one you will rate as the highest." 

Replying to the same, Dada replied, "Both have their own place. World Cup final has a special place, we got smashed by Australia. They were the best team in that generation. But getting to the World Cup and winning every game and beating every game hands down except Australia I thought it was a great achievement and the Natwest had its own charm you know. 

"You win in England on a Saturday in Lords, it's a remarkable feeling. Its a packed house and I'm sure you will get to play Test cricket in England next year when we travel for the five-Test matches.

"It's a remarkable experience when you walk out and play at Lords in a full house. I saw the World Cup finals in 2019 when I was commentating, it's unbelievable. Its a great moment and we all got carried away, but that's what sport is. When you win you celebrate and when you win a game like that, you celebrate even more".

Under Ganguly's captaincy, India managed to reach the 2003 World Cup final but lost to Australia. Under Kohli, India reached the 2019 World Cup semifinal but lost to New Zealand in the knockout clash, and were eliminated from the tournament.