Credit: Twitter
Ahead of the Asia Cup and the World Cup, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly offered his perspectives on the strength and potential of Team India. Particularly now that Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah is back, Ganguly highlighted the extraordinary qualities of the ODI team. He also praised the spinners and offered his thoughts on the No. 4 issue the Indian squad is currently dealing with.
Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj were complimented for their skills by the former BCCI President, who asserted that there was no finer bowling assault available for the Indian team. The 51-year-old continued by expressing satisfaction with the selection of spinners, praising the wrist spinners and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in particular.
In an interaction with Star Sports, Ganguly said, “It’s a very strong team. Bumrah is back, which makes the team even stronger. The bowling attack is very good – Shami, Bumrah, Siraj. You can’t get a better fast bowling attack. And the spin, Jadeja, the wrist spinner. Top batters. India is a fantastic side, who just have to turn up and play good, determined cricket during the Asia Cup and the World Cup.”
Ganguly further spoke about the No.4 issue, he said, “Number 4 is just a number. Anybody can fit in. So, I really don’t think I believed, even when I was playing, that anybody is born as an opener or at number 3 or 4. You know, I started in the middle order in one-day cricket and then went on to open because I was asked to do so by Sachin (Tendulkar), who was captain at that time. I think it’s the same thing with Sachin.”
“He (Sachin Tendulkar) batted at number 6 till his captain asked him to open, and he became a world-class player. So, anybody can play at number 4, you know? There is Virat Kohli who can bat at number 4, and there is Shreyas Iyer, once he does well in the Asia Cup. There’s KL Rahul too.
The Indian team’s preparation for the World Cup will begin on September 2, when the Men in Blue lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup. India will play at least two group-stage matches in the Asia Cup, followed by an ODI series against Australia at home. India’s World Cup campaign will get underway on October 8, against the Aussies in Chennai.
