Virat Kohli's passion for winning Test matches is unreal: Sourav Ganguly to India Today

Virat Kohli's time as India Test captain so far has been unbelievable. Taking over from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India's most successful captain, Kohli has led India with unparalleled passion and determination.

After 20 matches as captain, Kohli is yet to lose a Test series and has already gone past Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sunil Gavaskar to become the fourth most successful Indian Test captain with 12 wins. It's still early days but Kohli already has a better winning percentage than any other captain India has ever had.

The win at Mohali against England was Kohli's 16th successive victory as captain, a feat which even Dhoni or Sourav Ganguly could not manage. It's the third longest unbeaten streak for an Indian captain behind only Gavaskar's 18 and Kapil Dev's 17.

Former India captain Ganguly today lavished praise on Kohli, terming the Delhi batsman's passion to win Test matches "unreal".

Ganguly said Kohli's record as captain will get better at home and his real challenge will come when the team travels abroad. (We are seeing the best of Virat Kohli now: Nasser Hussain to India Today)

"Virat Kohli's record as captain just goes to show India's dominance at home. Kohli's record is going to get better by the time England and Australia finishes, which is about six Test matches and one against Bangladesh... that makes it seven. He has got a very good chance of winning all seven or probably five out of the seven.

"But just like every one else, his challenge will begin when he starts travelling abroad," Ganguly told India Today. (Captain courageous Virat Kohli best in the business right now)

Kohli, who is top-ranked in Twenty20 internationals and second in One-Day Internationals, achieved his career-best third rank in the ICC rankings for Test batsmen after leading India to 8-wicket win over England in the third Test in Mohali.

This year Kohli has been on top of his game, both in terms of batting and captaincy. With a win percentage of 70, Kohli is way ahead of his counterparts from England, Australia and Pakistan - the other three top Test playing nations. (MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli understand the art of chasing: Brendon McCullum to India Today)

"Kohli is a fantastic leader and his passion for winning Test matches is unreal. And I think with his ability, just think about the Test match in Adelaide, when the captain stands up and gets back-to-back hundreds and the second hundred was even better than the first one. So, when you have a captain who wants to achieve so much, you can expect good things from this side," Ganguly said.