Sourav Ganguly wants five bowlers against South Africa

India had been flying high after a ritualistic win against Pakistan before their wings were clipped by a resilient Sri Lanka with a historical chase of 321 runs. Sri Lanka did not come into the tournament as favourites. The team has been undergoing a change of hands and they went with an inexperienced team to England.

This situation might have played on Virat Kohli’s mind and he was sure of thumping Sri Lanka like India did in the last Champions Trophy. His underestimation of Sri Lanka’s resilience cost him dearly. Team India is now battling death in this tournament and tomorrow’s must-win match is against the number one ranked ODI team, South Africa.

Virat has to go back to the drawing board again and chalk out a new strategy to edge past the Proteas to the semis, or it will be his first ICC tournament defeat as a captain. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has meanwhile come to his rescue. He wants Ravi Ashwin to be included in the team along with Jadeja. Hardik’s blitzkrieg in the final over against Pakistan and his brilliant bowling couldn’t find a place in Ganguly’s playing eleven against South Africa.

Ganguly’s demand

Maybe Hardik’s inexperience of playing in England didn’t go down well with Dada who wants to fire up the pace battery and so demanded five ers to be included in the team. “I think Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja should play. Drop Hardik Pandya, bring back Ashwin. India should play five bowlers against South Africa,” he said.

Ganguly has backed the bowlers strongly. He is pleased with their efforts, despite failing to contain Sri Lanka in their massive run chase. The Indian bowlers have never been found wanting in their tactics which has drawn a lot of praise from the former Indian captain. “Not only batting, India’s bowling has also looked good except for just one game. Sri Lanka batted exceptionally well,” the Prince of Kolkata quoted.

The opening pair has fired exceptionally well. Both Rohit and Dhawan gave a good platform to India in both the matches which had set the tone for a big total. Shikhar whose batting hadn’t clicked in the IPL, had been in sublime form in the Champions Trophy with a century to his name. The duo will surely play good cricket tomorrow against South Africa.

Kohli and Yuvraj will look to get their touch back after registering single digits against Sri Lanka. Kohli who got out on a golden duck will be cautious against the Proteas and play good cricket, Ganguly hopes. “Play sensibly, it’s about absorbing pressure. Viart Kohli is a terrific player, one of the best in the format. He is a world-class one-day batsman,” he concluded.