Former England batsman and coach David Lloyd has hailed Sourav Ganguly as the “catalyst” for Indian cricket becoming a force even overseas.

Sourav gave Team India “real steel”, while current captain Virat Kohli has taken it “to another level,” Lloyd said during a chat on Sony Sports India’s Facebook page on Wednesday.

“When Ganguly got hold of the team, he gave it real steel — that it would not be dictated by quick bowlers and will rather find some of its own.

“There was a suggestion that India away from home don’t like the bouncing ball. Beating India in India was so difficult, but you had a chance against them when they played away from home. When Ganguly took over, he was a catalyst for Indian cricket to be a worldwide force,” Lloyd said.

“There was an axis of Ganguly, (Rahul) Dravid and (Sachin) Tendulkar. Now with these three, if you bring in a quality spinner and a couple of good pacers, you are in the business worldwide.”

Talking about Kohli, Lloyd added: “Kohli is also a great leader and he fears nothing.

“He is there to win matches and not to accumulate runs for himself. And he leads by example because he is the best.”