NEW DELHI: Remembering his conversation with then-Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf about Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the 2006 Pakistan-India cricket series, Ganguly said: “I still remember Pervez Musharraf asking me, from where did you get him?”
“I told him he was walking near the Wagah border and we pulled him in,” Ganguly said in a lighter mood.
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly firmly believes that his protégé, Indian batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, known by his initials MS Dhoni, is a “champion” and “like everyone else he has to perform” to maintain his position in the national team.
“He’s another champion. Fantastic career for 12-13 years since winning the World Twenty 20. Just like everyone else he has to perform. There’s one must in life: whatever job you do, wherever you are, whatever age you have, how much experience you have, you have to keep performing at the top level otherwise someone else will take your place,” Ganguly said of his former colleague when asked.
Earlier, reports emerged that veteran cricketer might be given a break during the upcoming T20 series against West Indies and Australia.
Former skipper Dhoni, who has not been in the best of form, has been at the centre of talks in his home country for some time now.
“I wish him (Dhoni) all the luck because we want champions to go on a high, whenever he goes. I still feel he can hit the ball in the stands. He’s a phenomenal cricketer,” added Ganguly.
When asked about his opinion on the 2019 World Cup lineup, Ganguly said: “I am not a selector but I expect 85-90 per cent of the current team will play in the World Cup.”