Greg Chappell on Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement: ‘Ganguly Gave India Backbone, But Kohli Took It Further’

Following Virat Kohli’s announcement of his retirement from Test cricket, former India coach Greg Chappell shared his thoughts on the legacy of Indian cricket’s leadership. In a recent conversation, Chappell drew comparisons between Sourav Ganguly and Kohli, stating, “Ganguly gave Indian cricket its backbone, but Kohli took it to the next level.”

Ganguly’s Leadership: Building a Bold Indian Team

Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy marked a turning point for Indian cricket at the start of the 21st century. He was responsible for instilling confidence and aggression in a side that previously lacked consistency overseas. Ganguly was known for backing young players and creating a fearless team culture. His leadership was evident in historic triumphs, such as the series win in Pakistan in 2004.

Chappell, who coached India during Ganguly’s captaincy, acknowledged their turbulent working relationship but respected Ganguly’s role in transforming India into a competitive side. According to Chappell, Ganguly gave the Indian team a fighting spirit and a much-needed identity.

Kohli’s Era: Defining Modern Indian Cricket

Virat Kohli’s captaincy brought a more intense and disciplined approach to Indian cricket. Since taking over in 2014, he emphasized physical fitness, aggressive intent, and a high-performance mindset. Under his leadership, India reached new heights, including becoming the top-ranked Test team and registering a historic Test series win in Australia.

Chappell remarked that while Ganguly began the transformation, Kohli expanded on that foundation and reshaped the team into one of the strongest sides globally. Kohli’s commitment to excellence and mental toughness became hallmarks of India’s dominance, setting new standards not just for his teammates but also for future Indian cricketers.

Evolution of Indian Cricket

The evolution from Ganguly’s era to Kohli’s reflected a continuous upward journey for Indian cricket. Ganguly gave the team its edge and resilience, and Kohli refined that structure by adding discipline and international dominance. Chappell noted that both captains played unique roles—Ganguly sparked the change, and Kohli ensured India sustained and built upon that momentum.

Now, as Kohli bids farewell to Test cricket, his legacy includes a record of individual brilliance and team achievements. From being a fiery young player to one of the most successful Test captains in Indian history, Kohli’s career has significantly shaped modern Indian cricket.

Final Thoughts

Greg Chappell’s remarks underline the lasting impact both Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli have had on Indian cricket. While Ganguly’s leadership injected courage and belief into the team, Kohli’s era took Indian cricket to new peaks with a focus on performance and professionalism. As Chappell summed it up: “Ganguly gave India its spine, but Kohli strengthened it further”—a powerful reflection on how the leadership of both legends helped define and elevate Indian cricket on the global stage.