Bring Ishant Sharma in place of Umesh for Vizag Test: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly answered the big question about India’s playing eleven for the second Test. The upcoming Test of the 5-match series starts on Thursday. Vizag is all set to host the match and a spinning wicket is on the cards for both sides. In an exclusive video interview by ESPNcricinfo, Sourav was asked whether India should play the same eleven for the second Test.

The former Indian skipper opined that the playing eleven should more or less be the same. He suggested that India could bring in Ishant Sharma in place of Umesh Yadav. Umesh had a decent Test at Rajkot, albeit an unlucky one. A lot of chances went down off his bowling. However, Ganguly said that Umesh fails to pick up wickets at the end of the day. This might not work well in his favour.

“I think same eleven. Maybe they could bring in Ishant Sharma in place of Umesh Yadav. Umesh Yadav has not been picking the wickets. He promised a lot but does not do the job. So I think it should it Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma,” said the former Indian skipper.

He further added that the presence of a lot of left-handers in the English team gives Ishant an edge over Umesh. Ishant has the ability to take the ball away from left-handers. Moreover, he was instrumental when India beat England in the Lord’s Test in 2014. Ishant had bagged 7/74 in the second innings then.

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“There are a lot of left-handers in this England team and Ishant Sharma will be able to take the ball away from the left-handers. Also, his last trip in England when he picked up 7 wickets at Lords and India won the Test match and Ishant played a crucial role. So I think Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami would be my two fast bowlers provided Mohammad Shami is fit. He had a hamstring niggle throughout the Test match. So that is an area the team needs to look at,” quoted Sourav Ganguly.

Sourav Ganguly further said that the first Test was a hard fought one. Team India did well but it was England who had the upper hand. “India did well. They competed hard and it is just that the Test match ended in a draw and England had an upper hand,” he concluded.