Don't compare Kohli's IPL captaincy record with that of India: Ganguly

Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday insisted that Virat Kohli's IPL captaincy will not have an impact in the World Cup as he enjoys a good record as an ODI skipper.

The biggest advantage for Kohli will be the support of two very successful leaders -- Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma -- on whom he can fall back on during testing situations.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's repeated failures in the Indian Premier League have put the spotlight on Kohli's leadership skills but Ganguly said Indian captaincy is a different ball game.

"Don't compare Virat Kohli's IPL captaincy record with that of India. His captaincy records for India is very good actually. He's got him in his team as the vice-captain. Dhoni is there. So he's well supported," Ganguly told PTI on the sidelines of a promotional programme.

The 46-year-old felt Hardik Pandya will play a key role in India's campaign at the mega event, starting May 30 in England.

"Hardik Pandya will play a key role. He is in tremendous form. He will be very, very important for India's chances."
"Pakistan's record in world tournaments in England is remarkable. They won the Champions Trophy two years ago, they won the 2009 World T20 in England."
"Pakistan always play well in England. You see the last game in England. England got 374 and Pakistan just lost by 12 runs. They also beat England in England in Test matches there because of their bowling lineup."
"I don't believe in records. Both of them will have to play well on that particular day. India will be a very good side. They will be very hard to beat. Team which has the likes of Kohli, Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan can't be weak."
"Indian cricket is so strong. And we have been strong for the last 25-30 years. Every world competition that we play, we will have a chance. This team has as much chance as we had in 2003."
"You rather turn up like an India or an Australia or an England where everybody says this team is going to win the World Cup. So Virat, probably being the best player of the world at the moment, is as much under pressure as anybody else and that will be good for him because he will turn up, work hard, he will be pumped and get India going."