Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday ruled out Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh’s chances of staging a comeback to the Indian team for next year’s ODI World Cup.
“It will be difficult for Sehwag and Yuvraj to play in this World Cup because World Cup is so near and Dhoni won’t make many changes in the side,” a candid Ganguly said at an event here.
Ganguly, who was known for unearthing talents during his tenure as skipper, though lavished praised on Yuvraj and Sehwag and called them genuine match-winners. “They were great players, one of the best I have seen but time catches up with everyone and so is the case with Viru and Yuvi,” Ganguly said at the ‘Salaam Cricket Conclave’, a day- long event organised by India Today group.
Ganguly believes that the Indian cricket team has a realistic chance of defending the world title in the tournament slated to be held in Australia and New Zealand form February next year. “India has a quality ODI team though they haven’t done well in Tests abroad. But in ODI there’s a good chance,” he said.
Pointing out that every team needs some X-factors to go the distance, Ganguly said this Indian team has that. “India have four or five good quality players and these will be crucial X-factors for the team to do well Down Under,” he said.
Praising both Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina for their superlative shows with the bat, Ganguly mentioned that India’s performance in the upcoming quadrennial event will depend on how these two perform.
“Virat has done well in overseas conditions. He has played match-winning innings in South Africa and Australia. A lot will depend on him. If he does well India will put up a good show.
“Raina has done very well recently. He has been consistent but it will also be a challenge for him to carry that form in Australia.”
Gavaskar: Taking 20 wkts will be key to success in Aus
India’s success in the upcoming Australia tour would hinge upon their ability to take 20 wickets, reckons former batting great Sunil Gavaskar.
India, who have been juggling with their team set-up for quite some time now, will take on Australia in a three-Test series in December before competing in tri-series, which will also involve England.
“You need bowlers who can take 20 wickets for a period of 2-3 matches at a stretch. And I am afraid, India have always missed such a bunch of bowlers. If they can do this only then they will have chance,” said Gavaskar.
Widely regarded as one of the best overseas batsmen of his era, Gavaskar said that scoring hundreds on Australian soil in more satisfying than doing it in the sub-continent. “With the hundreds you score in Australia, you feel a sense of satisfaction than the one’s registered in India or the sub-continent. You are always regarded as better batsman when you get runs outside your country and same goes with a team that wins overseas,” said the former India opener.
An Australia tour is never easy for a player due to completely different playing conditions and culture but Gavaskar opines that the appreciation, ones it come, from an Aussie crowd is always an honour. “Many say that Australian crowd is rough. It rattles you. But mind you, when you perform well they really appreciate you and that’s the best. Praise by the Aussie crowd is the highest praise.”
Fit Ishant should be India’s key figure in WC: Border
Terming India’s prospects as very strong in the 2015 World Cup, former Australia captain Allan Border said that a fit Ishant Sharma should be a key figure for the Men in Blue Down Under.
Ishant last played for India in the One-dayers in January against New Zealand. “Ishant Sharma should be a key figure if he is not injured. He is a good bowler and will do well in Australian conditions,” Border said.
Commenting on Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Test captaincy, Border said that India’s ‘captain cool’ has really led from the front but he is running out of ideas in the longer format. “look he has a very strong personality. But he should be more pro-active as a leader in the Test format,” he said.
Sitting alongside Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, Border opined that Team India do have the “skills to match the best sides in the world but they will certainly have to have more “attitude” and “self belief” to make a mark in Australia and New Zealand. “India certainly have very good players in their team and if they can combine with the right kind of attitude then they can certainly do good in the upcoming World Cup,” the 1987 World Cup-winning captain said.