Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricketer, has disclosed that he has a huge liking for Gautam Gambhir and surely he would carry on his job of head coach for a bit longer, but he will have to do so on decent Indian grounds, stressing that it’s high time Mohammed Shami was given a place in the team.
The main Indian fast bowler was ignored for the domestic Test series even after he had a great time at the Ranji Trophy, where he took 15 wickets in the first three games. Shami has not been on the Indian Test team roster since the World Test Championship final two years back.
Shami was still at it for Bengal vs Assam match on Sunday and when the day’s play was done, he has bowled 22-4-62-2.
“I am very fond of Gautam; he has brought India victory in the 2011 and T20 World Cups. He will be around for some time but he must play on good pitches in India. He has to rely on Bumrah, Siraj and Shami,” said Ganguly while talking to Sports Tak.
“I feel Shami has earned a place in the Test squad. Shami and the spin bowlers will be the ones who will deliver Test victories for him,” Ganguly inferred.
The former Indian cricketer also gave his opinion while conversing with NDTV that India must reduce the factor of the pitch and work on letting their batters get to 350 runs plus, a tactic that had been during the England tour with Shubman Gill’s team winning a remarkable 2-2 draw in the five-Test series.
Ganguly pushed for India to go with the plan of playing on equitable, pitcher-like American fields and attempting to get full five-day results instead of witnessing the matches ending in three days.
Be sure to play on nice wickets. I trust Gautam Gambhir is attuned to this. He has to totally ignore the wicket as a factor. If the other side scores a minimum of 350-400 runs then he cannot win Tests,” Ganguly remarked.
“Even so, England was one of the reasons their batting line-up scored rapidly. The coach must utilize pitch conditions favorable to his players. And rely on his guys. And win tests in five days not in three,” Ganguly further stated.
