Sourav Ganguly rubs salt to 'struggling' England's wound

In the lead-up to the fourth Test, Sourav Ganguly, former India skipper, offered insights on England's prospects in Indian conditions. Ganguly expressed scepticism about England's chances, citing the challenging nature of subcontinental pitches. He commended young guns Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan for their commendable performances against England, stepping up in the absence of seasoned players.

Jaiswal impressed with his second consecutive double-century in India's second innings in Rajkot, while Sarfaraz showcased consistency with back-to-back fifty-plus scores. England, lauded for their 'Bazball' style under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's leadership, have found it tough to replicate their success in Indian conditions. Despite their innovative approach, England's performance hasn't quite clicked in the subcontinent's challenging environment, as noted by Ganguly.

“Bazball is good, but it’s difficult for England to be successful in Indian conditions. I will be surprised if India lose the series. Please remember that India are playing without Virat [Kohli], KL [Rahul]. It’s a young team with many new faces, and yet, England are struggling. Jaiswal is not only a good player, he’s capable of playing all formats of the game. Sarfaraz has started well. He now has to score in foreign countries. Sarfaraz is a good example for budding cricketers, who must keep in mind that if they score consistently, they will get their chances,” said Ganguly as quoted by News18.

Also Read: Sarfaraz Khan is good example for budding cricketers, who must keep scoring consistently, says Sourav Ganguly

England will look to stay alive in series eyeing Ranchi win

England clinched the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs, but the tables turned swiftly as the hosts dominated the next two matches, notably in Rajkot, where England suffered their most significant defeat by runs since 1934. Under McCullum's leadership, England boasted a commendable record of 14 victories in 20 Tests prior to the Rajkot setback. With the series moving to Ranchi, the visitors aim to stage a comeback and level the score at 1-1 to stay competitive in the series.