Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says he is impressed by the next wave of Indian talent, even as he argues that some players may need more time before stepping into the Test arena. In an interview, Ganguly suggested that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not quite ready for Test cricket yet, but insisted the youngster has the potential to become “India’s future.” He also touched on how selectors have handled domestic performers and addressed questions around Rishabh Pant’s form, captaincy pressure, and how T20 cricket has evolved since the legends of his era stepped away from the shortest format.
On the question of whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for Tests, Ganguly made his stance clear: “In T20s, he should be included right away, but not in Test cricket.” The former captain added that for a Test call-up, Sooryavanshi must first build a stronger first-class record and score more runs consistently. Ganguly’s view was that the raw ability is already there, but the conditioning needed for Test cricket takes time. “To see a 15-year-old bat like this against every side in the world is phenomenal,” he said, before reiterating that the batter represents what is coming for Indian cricket.
Ganguly then widened the discussion to India’s selection pathway, particularly the way Ranji performers are viewed. He highlighted that Auqib Nabi had delivered a strong domestic season yet was not part of the India squad for the Afghanistan series, while Prince Yadav did receive an opportunity. Ganguly questioned the balance of those decisions, asking whether players are being overlooked in the domestic structure. He felt Nabi “should have been in the squad,” pointing to Nabi’s outstanding bowling in the Ranji Trophy.
At the same time, Ganguly did not dismiss Prince Yadav’s credentials. He described Yadav as talented and quick, and praised the selectors for giving him a chance. However, Ganguly’s conclusion remained that both players deserved to be picked. His reasoning was rooted in pace and impact: “When you have pace, you don’t keep them in first class,” he said, arguing that the opportunity should come alongside strong performances at the domestic level.
Turning to Rishabh Pant, Ganguly said the wicketkeeper-batter has been struggling with consistency. He was asked whether captaincy is weighing on Pant’s batting, and Ganguly responded that Pant is already a high-class Test player. “His Test match batting is world class,” he said, while also explaining that Pant is still working through the adjustment required for T20 cricket. Ganguly expressed hope that Pant settles into the format, stressing that the talent is undeniable. In his view, the challenge is not unique to Pant—captaincy affects everyone. “Captaincy is a burden on everyone. It’s how you handle it,” he said, adding a realistic note that the desire to lead comes with responsibility: “But then you want to be captain, isn’t it? … So you will have to get that balance right. You do it or somebody else will.”
Ganguly also reflected on how T20 cricket has grown, especially after the generation he belonged to stepped away from the format. He said he did not foresee the scale T20 would reach over the next 25 years. “We learned our cricket in a different era,” he noted, and pointed out that his era included not just himself and other contemporaries, but also big names like Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, Joe Root and Alastair Cook. In his assessment, the game changes because generations change, and nothing remains static in cricket or life. He argued that T20 is here to stay and will continue to uncover talent—players who can swing the ball through the line and hit into the stands with power and timing.
With the IPL continuing to shape the careers of emerging stars and established India players alike, fans are also looking ahead to the next clash featuring RCB vs GT, along with the latest developments across the league. The Orange Cap and Purple Cap race remains a focal point as teams chase momentum in the season.
