'We didn't chop and change ahead of 2003 World Cup' - Sourav Ganguly on importance of having settled combination

Indian fans still remember the fight shown by Sourav Ganguly's men in the ODI World Cup in 2003. They sailed into the finals where they were beaten by a formidable Australian team. One of the hallmarks of the Indian team back then was the urge to stick to a set core of players for the few series that preceded the showpiece event. Youngsters like Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, and Mohammad Kaif were given a lot of opportunities and backed to the hilt.

Ganguly noted that nowadays, India tend to chop and change more than they should. He explained how important it is to stick to a settled combination ahead of major events by mentioning the team that played the 2003 World Cup under him and also Australia, who dominated world cricket in the early  2000s, backing a set team. In the same light, the former BCCI president advised India to persist with the same set of players who are in the ongoing Asia Cup squad to play in the subsequent World Cup.

“We had a settled combination. That’s the most important thing. We were a very good team by then and had started winning. We were on song. We had some fantastic players. That’s why I keep saying don’t chop and change ahead of a major tournament. Have a set of players together for 1 year and let them win or lose and get ready as a team," Ganguly said on 'Backstage With Boria'.

"Australia did not chop and change for years between 1999-2003 and that’s why they were so good. For that one year in 2003, we had won everything. We won in the West Indies, won the Natwest and except for the blip against New Zealand on those pitches, we won it all. We went to South Africa as a very good team. That’s why it is important that we have our 14 by the Asia Cup, the same 14-15 that will play the World Cup. It is key you know your combination and don’t keep chopping and changing till the last minute," he added.

Rohit Sharma and Co. are worried about the fitness levels of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. Both players are returning from injuries. Rahul is set to miss the first couple of games in the Asia Cup. The composition of the side could change massively in his absence as India will have to fit in Ishan Kishan.

The problem with the left-hander is that he has been impeccable when he has opened but has been below par in the middle order. If India opts to open with the southpaw, they will have to break the successful opening pair of Rohit and Shubman Gill. Therefore, there are a lot of questions for the seven-time Asia Cup champions as they prepare to face arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening encounter on September 2.