Australia vs India: Sourav Ganguly surprised with the exclusion of two players in the Pink Test

For the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India went ahead with Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul in the playing XI. The decision raised some eyebrows since Rahul had been going through a lean patch for a considerable period now. Also, the fact that India decided to go with two spinners for the first time since long.

Sourav Ganguly has been quite vocal with regards to the developments in the ongoing Test series. The former Indian skipper wasn’t quite pleased with the absence of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Further, he went on to describe the Australian batting going through their worst phase in the last 15 years.

Surprised with the exclusion of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

All-rounder Hardik Pandya who was called in for the last two Tests was seen warming the bench. The former Indian captain was astonished by the team management’s decision to go ahead with Umesh Yadav over Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the initial 13 member squad. Ganguly also felt that Pandya could’ve been the third pacer in the team alongside his deliverables with the bat.

“I am surprised not to see Hardik Pandya in the 13 as he adds value with both bat and ball and would have been the third seam option as well. I am also surprised that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not been brought in especially with Ishant unfit.” He told according to TOI.

Australian batting at its lowest in last 15 years

With the absence of stalwarts like David Warner and Steve Smith, the Australian batting lineup seems quite unreliable. Ganguly went on to remark that the current batting had been the worse in the last 15 years. He further steered away from blaming T20 cricket for the same. Ganguly stated that every cricketer needs to adjust himself in all formats of the game.

“Australia will have to get their top-order right. Their batting has been at its lowest in the last 15 years. It is understandable with the team going through a rebuilding phase but to blame T20 cricket completely for it is not fair. The likes of Williamson, Kohli, Smith, Warner, Root, Butler, and Bairstow play a lot of T20 also, but have adjusted to the longer format.” He was quoted as saying by TOI.

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