NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes KL Rahul‘s “improbable numbers” in ODIs could have given him the sting over Rishabh Pant as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter within the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir backed Rahul to tackle the wicketkeeping duties for the marquee ICC occasion, leaving Pant on the sidelines.
“India are such a robust aspect, particularly in batting. Pant is excellent. However Rahul has improbable numbers in ODIs. So, I feel that is the rationale Gautam Gambhir has backed Rahul,” Ganguly stated after he was introduced because the model ambassador of Vura, a development chemical model.
“There’s little or no to decide on between them (Rahul and Pant) as a result of each are distinctive,” he added.
The previous BCCI chief additionally backed Virat Kohli to beat his leg-spin woes, whereas tipping India as favourites to bag the Champions Trophy title.
“India have 5 Shubman Gills from one, two, three, 4, 5, six — who can all rating a whole lot and win matches. When Axar Patel bats at 5 for India, are you able to think about the depth?
“Yesterday, India was in a spot of hassle, however then they’d KL Rahul coming in. They’d Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya… There’s batting after batting.
“India have a home of expertise due to the programs we now have and the way in which we play our cricket.”
POSITIVE ON KOHLI
Kohli as soon as once more fell to a leg-spinner however Ganguly was assured that the star batter will overcome this problem.
“The standard of cricketer Virat Kohli is —I am positive he’ll be capable of type this out. He has acquired 81 worldwide a whole lot, and I am positive he scored runs in opposition to leg-spin additionally. So, it was most likely simply a kind of days when he acquired out. He has to discover a method to play it.”
Whereas India and New Zealand are Ganguly’s picks from Group A, he stated Australia may miss out on the semifinals as a result of absence of key gamers.
“New Zealand have crushed Pakistan. So, New Zealand is forward. If India beat Pakistan, then Pakistan will most likely be out of the competitors. So, I see India and New Zealand progressing from this group.”
“From the opposite group, I am a little bit nervous about Australia as a result of there is not any (Pat) Cummins, no Mitchell Starc, and no Josh Hazlewood. Their three finest quick bowlers are lacking.
“Between South Africa, England, and Australia — any two can qualify. You by no means depend Australia out due to their pedigree and the standard of cricket they play. However I will not be stunned if England and South Africa make it.”
The 52-year-old, who has a profession finest 239 in Checks in opposition to Pakistan, additionally remembered his on-field fights in opposition to the neighbours.
“I’ve performed a complete lifetime of India-Pakistan cricket, ranging from the Independence Cup ultimate in 1996. My first collection as captain to
Pakistan in 2004, the place India gained the Checks and ODIs for the primary time in historical past. So, I’ve numerous nice recollections of taking part in in opposition to Pakistan.
“I’ve seen Javed Miandad’s six sixes, and I’ve additionally seen the transformation of India after that — how we began dominating Pakistan in each format.
“I say that with respect. India have been a far, far superior workforce. Taking a look at this Indian workforce, it is also far, far superior within the final 20 years,” he stated.
