Sourav Ganguly has made it clear he won’t be getting into politics, though he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of coaching the Indian cricket team. Ganguly, who will be 53 this July, previously served as the Team Director for Delhi Capitals from 2018 to 2024. When asked if he’d consider coaching the Indian team, he mentioned in a podcast interview, I never really thought about it since I’ve been involved in different roles. I wrapped up my playing days in 2013 and then went on to be BCCI President. He added that one of his key impacts in that position was promoting women’s cricket.
On the idea of coaching, he said, We’ll see what the future holds. I’m just 53, so let’s see what happens. I’m open to it. But when it comes to politics, he’s not interested. He smiled when asked if he’d consider joining a political party ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections in 2026, saying, I am not interested. When pressed about the possibility of being promised the chief minister’s position, he repeated, I am not interested.
Ganguly spoke highly of the current coach, Gautam Gambhir, saying he’s improved a lot since the Champions Trophy victory in Dubai. Gautam is doing a good job. He started off a bit slow with losses against Australia and New Zealand, but he turned things around with the Champions Trophy win. This upcoming series against England is going to be massive, he commented.
Regarding Gambhir’s coaching style, Ganguly noted his passion and honesty. I’ve seen him from afar in this role. He’s straightforward, sees things clearly, and isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on the team and players. He also recalled how respectful Gambhir was during their playing days, saying, He was a great guy with a lot of respect for me and the seniors. Even now, his passion for the job is clear.
Ganguly believes that Gambhir, having only been in the role for a year, should be given time to develop. I wish him all the best. This England tour is going to be a big challenge. He faced some struggles in Australia, but like everyone else, he’ll learn and get better.