New Delhi. Shubman Gill’s thumb fracture ahead of the series opener against Australia is certainly a ‘blow’ for India but former skipper Sourav Ganguly believes the team has the confidence to win at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on Friday. But there is quality and mental strength to overcome the recent crushing defeat.
Gill has five centuries in his name in 29 tests. On India’s last tour of Australia, he played an important role in helping the team win with half-centuries in Melbourne and Brisbane. He will not be able to play in the opening match of the series due to a thumb fracture during the team’s practice, while his return in the second Test is also doubtful.
Ganguly said in a special interview to ‘PTI’, “There is no doubt that Shubman’s injury is a blow to the team because he was batting in good rhythm. He has scored runs in Australia. “He may be out of two Test matches due to a thumb fracture.” This former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, “I believe that in the absence of Rohit (on paternity leave) and Shubman during the first Test, other batsmen will take up the responsibility. I don’t think the loss to New Zealand will have any impact on this series.” Hardik Pandya is no longer playing Test matches and India is lacking fast bowling all-rounders. Nitish Kumar Reddy is in the team but he is yet to make his Test debut. Ganguly believes that this Andhra player should be given a chance in selected circumstances.
This former veteran said, “There is no point in playing two specialist spinners in Perth (Optus) and Gabba (Brisbane). You have to find a way to include Reddy in the playing eleven in these circumstances. He is a good batsman for the lower order. This will improve the balance of the team.” Ganguly said that Mohammed Shami should have been sent to Adelaide for the second Test to be held from December 6. The team will play day-night Test with pink ball in Adelaide. However, the thinking of the Indian selectors does not match with Ganguly. The selectors do not want to rush the return of Shami, who has performed effectively in the Ranji matches for Bengal after recovering from an ankle injury.
The BCCI medical team and the national selectors want Shami to play a few more competitive matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to see if his body is in good shape after many matches, even if it is a white-ball tournament. Ganguly said, “Shami bowled about 45 overs and remained on the field for more than 100 overs while fielding. This is enough fitness to be sent to Australia. On this tour, you need a bowler of his caliber along with Jasprit Bumrah.” After the defeat in the home series against New Zealand, there is talk of changes in the team but 51 year old Ganguly does not want to give much importance to these things.
He said, “Change in the team will happen when it has to happen.” I feel that no player should be judged on the basis of his age. There should be only form and fitness criteria to assess the player.” Ganguly said that he hopes that Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will bat brilliantly in Australia.
He said, “I have full faith in Virat Kohli. He has proved it with his performance and this series will be good for him. India’s success in this series will largely depend on the batting of Kohli and Pant. If both of them do well then this series will be good for India.” Ganguly also denied the talk of the team not being completely prepared and said, “The team’s preparation would have been considered less if they had played the Test after a long time. This team has played five test matches in the last two months. In such a situation, where does such a question arise?” Ganguly said, “I can understand that the defeat against New Zealand was unexpected but you have to understand that we played these matches on a very difficult pitch. The pitch in Australia will be good for batting.”