Sourav Ganguly urges the Indian top-order batsmen to improve quickly

The former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly believes that the Indian top-order batsmen have to resolve their issues quickly in the ongoing Test series against South Africa. All the batsmen were found wanting in the demanding conditions on a sporting wicket in Newlands. Their inability to play swinging deliveries resulted in India losing the first Test match by 72 runs. However, Dada also praised Hardik Pandya for performing excellently in his first game in the country.

Virat Kohli made some bold changes going into the game, one of which was dropping Ajinkya Rahane for Rohit Sharma based on the current form. He received a lot of flak from the fans for this step as the latter completely failed in both the innings due to poor technique. Also, Jasprit Bumrah was given the chance ahead of the more experienced Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav which proved to be fruitful.

Ganguly analyses the team combination

Sourav Ganguly pointed out that the visiting team have to sort out the issues of the top-order batsmen and also opined that India should continue playing five bowlers. “India will play five bowlers because the problem is not with your fifth bowler batting option. The problem is with your top and middle order batting options. The problem is not fast bowling, the problem is not Hardik Pandya, the problem is not Ashwin. The problem is your top-order batsmen,” he said while speaking to India Today.

The President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) also praised Hardik Pandya who was the lifeline for the India cricket team in the first innings with the bat. “Hardik Pandya played magnificently despite the fact that he went to South Africa without much of match practice. You cannot go in a Test match without a spinner so that chapter closes. Ravichandran Ashwin also got you 30 runs with the bat,” he added. Ganguly also said that the injury to Dale Steyn would actually work in favour of South Africa as they would be able to add an all-rounder in his place.

“I think that Steyn’s injury is a blessing in disguise for South Africa. With (Chris) Morris coming in, they will have more strength in batting and that will help them in the series,” the 45-year-old concluded.

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