Former India captain and current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has come in head coach Gautam Gambhir’s defense amidst widespread criticism. Since Gambhir took over, India have won four out of six Tests at home. After the Eden Gardens pitch fiasco, Ganguly feels how playing on flat pitches will be a different challenge for the Indian team.
“No, no, there's no question of sacking out of Gautam Gambhir at this stage, but I think as a team, they need to get together and say to themselves that we will work hard to win Test matches because on flat pitches, it's a lot harder because the opposition will pad, there'll be big runs scored on the first innings of each team. And in India, surprisingly, you'll see how the game changes quickly on day four, day five,” Ganguly said during an exclusive interaction with India Today.
Ganguly pointed at Team India's strength of taking 20 wickets as it was displayed at the Kennington Oval, London. He said that swing can come in play in Indian conditions and there is a need for mindset change.
“So they have to be patient on that. As I said, they have the bowling attack to get 20 wickets as you saw at the Oval on the last day, as you saw in Edgbaston during that series (vs England), so they can do that as well. Swing comes into play in India with the ball getting old. So it's just a mindset change,” the former BCCI president said.
Ganguly has belief in Gambhir-Gill
While India have struggled at home against quality sides, Ganguly has put his weight behind Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill as the latter scripted history on England soil.
“And you know, Gautam as a coach and Shubman as a captain did exceptionally well in England on good batting pitches. And I firmly believe that they can do well in India as well,” the 53-year-old said.
Crucial WTC points at stake
India will attempt to draw the series and gain crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points when they take on Temba Bavuma-led South Africa in Guwahati, starting November 22. There is a still a big question mark over whether Gill will play in the second Test after suffering a neck injury during series opener.