Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on current Test skipper Virat Kohli, saying the dashing right-hander is one of his favourite leaders in the game.
"Virat is one of my favourite captains at the present moment," Ganguly told reporters at a packed media conference celebrating his decade-long association with a steel brand.
"He is a terrific player. In his short career so far he has done wonders for the country. Someone who when I look at him on the field is going to raise the value of the Indian cricket with his intensity, fighting spirit and hunger to win. You could see it on his face when he walks out to bat, or captain India he wants to be the best. The country needs him at the moment and I think he is great addition to Indian cricket," added Ganguly.
Kohli has won seven Tests as the Test captain so far, the latest being India's massive win over West Indies in the Caribbean. The Delhi lad also became the first Indian captain to score a double century in the same series overseas.
India now take on New Zealand in three Tests and five One Day Internationals. The first Test match is in Kanpur starting next Thursday.
"New Zealand are probably the second best team after England at the moment. India are almost unbeatable at home. Everyone knows that, even New Zealand," Ganguly said.
"The first Test is in Kanpur and then here at the Eden Gardens followed by Indore. The conditions will be good to play."
Ganguly said the Eden pitch is presently being prepared for the second Test starting September 30.
"Eden pitch will be ready. There has been a lot of sunshine in the last two days. There is still enough time to get it ready."
The 44-year-old added the wicket will be prepared according to the wish of the Indian team management.
"Whatever they want will be provided. last year during the World Cup, we had to use bermuda grass as it grows quickly."
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha is set to be the first Bengali to play a Test for the country at the Eden after Ganguly in 2007. The former skipper felt both Saha and fellow Bengal player Mohammed Shami should play 100 Tests for India.
"Wriddhi has a great opportunity to play 100 Tests for India. So has Shami. I wish them both all the very best."
The cement company and Ganguly, in his capacity as their brand ambassador, announced they will be funding 10 different age group players from a financially poor background through the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
"Hopefully in a few years' time we will get a couple of players who will play for the country. This will be a big success for us," Ganguly said.
‘Good chance to beat NZ, Eng, Oz’
Sri lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan on Thursday wished his one-time rival Anil Kumble good luck for India's upcoming New Zealand series, asserting that under the new coach the hosts stood a good chance of winning not only against the Kiwis, but also against England and Australia.
"Anil is very knowledgeable. He knows what to do. They have good chance of winning not only the New Zealand series but England and Australia as well," Murali said.
New Zealand are presently in India to play three Test matches and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) till October 29.
England are slated to tour India from November, 2016, to the beginning of February next year for five Tests, and three ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals each. Australia are scheduled to visit later next year.
Murali, the highest wicket taker in Test history, gave Indian spinners the edge over their New Zealand counterparts despite the visitors coming with three spinners. "India have the edge over anyone else. They have far better spinners," said the Sri lankan, who snared 800 wickets in Tests and 534 in ODIs.
On Virat Kohli's Test captaincy, the happy-go-lucky tweaker said: "Virat is doing well. India are winning matches under him."