You need to give credit to the way England have played: Sourav Ganguly

The ongoing first test between India and England currently has the hosts facing a huge task of overhauling the massive 537 posted by the visitors batting first at the SCA Stadium, Rajkot. After Joe Root and Moeen Ali, all – rounder Ben Stokes made full use to the opportunity provided by the Indians and went on t slam 127 runs.

The solid batting performance guided England to their third highest total in Test cricket on Indian soil. It was the first time since 2012-13 that a visiting team had crossed the 500 run barrier on Indian soil. Coincidentally, it was England who did it when they scored 523 runs in Kolkata.

India openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay safely negotiated the 23 overs they faced to take their side to 63 without loss at stumps, trailing England by 474 runs. Gambhir was unbeaten on 28 while Vijay was on 25. Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly told India Today that the hosts need to bat really well to save the Rajkot Test.

“You need to give credit to the way England have played and India now have to play really well to save the Test,” Ganguly told India Today.

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Ganguly also defended India’s slopping fielding, saying Virat Kohli’s men are a good fielding side despite the few bloopers. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha dropped Ben Stokes twice off Umesh Yadav, making it five drops in this innings for India in total.

“These are one-off incidents. India are a good fielding side despite the few dropped catches,” he said.