MS Dhoni changed a generation of players, made them believe: Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has lauded MS Dhoni for his impact on a generation of cricketers.

Speaking at the Sportstar East Sports Conclave in Kolkata, Ganguly was high praise of Dhoni and said that Dhoni’s legacy will be measured not only in the matches that he has played but how he served as an inspiration to a generation of players.

“When you speak about MS Dhoni, it’s not just about the matches he has played. It’s the impact that he has had on Indian cricket. I met him a couple of days ago in Mumbai; we both were shooting. He’s an absolute champion.

One of the all-time greats of Indian cricket, winning World Cups, coming from the state of Ranchi which hardly produced any players,” Ganguly said during the Sportstar East Sports Conclave in Kolkata on Monday, 6 February.

Ganguly further added that him and Dhoni prove many wrong who thought that cricket was not at its best in the eastern side of the country.

“I feel proud – I can’t keep saying it – that two of India’s pretty successful captains came from a part of the country where people thought cricket wasn’t at its best. That’s where MS Dhoni comes in; he’s actually changed a generation of players around him to believe that ‘I can be successful’ from here. Look at Ishan Kishan, look at the way he plays international cricket,” the former BCCI president added.

Ganguly, regarded as one of the best captains in the history of Indian cricket was eclipsed by MS Dhoni. Under Dhoni, India won the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy. In fact that last ICC trophy that India won was under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. The wicket-keeper batter decided to retire from all forms of international cricket in 15 August 2020, and will be playing his final Indian Premier League in 2023.