NEW DELHI: As India’s look forward to an ICC Trophy stretches over a decade, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly feels there isn’t a must press the panic button, including that if Rohit Sharma and co. are to carry the ODI World Cup this 12 months, the batters must carry out properly.
India final gained an ICC title in 2013 when MS Dhoni-led facet beat England within the Champions Trophy ultimate. Prior to that in 2011, India gained the ODI World Cup after 28 years.
Since 2013, India have featured in eight knockout matches, together with semifinals and finals, within the ICC tournaments however didn’t win a title.
“You cannot win World Cups all the time, there will be bad times, there will be gaps,” Ganguly mentioned.
India have misplaced two successive World Test Championships Finals in 2021 and 2023, whereas they exited in semifinals of the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2019, apart from shedding the Champions Trophy ultimate in 2017.
It’s the identical story in T20 World Cups. They misplaced the ultimate in 2014 and have been bundled out within the semifinals twice — 2016 and 2022.
However, India will probably be taking a shot at Cup glory throughout this World Cup at residence, and Ganguly mentioned their batsmen should ship.
“They will have to bat very well, if they bat well they will win,” Ganguly, who led India to the 2003 World Cup ultimate, mentioned.
India’s preparation will start with the Asia Cup 2023 the place they’ll face Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan earlier than taking part in a three-match collection towards Australia at residence.
Ganguly, nevertheless, mentioned every match would carry its personal dynamics.
“The World Cup is different, Asia Cup is different and the Australia home series is different. Every tournament depends on how they play that particular moment. India are a strong side; but they have to play well during the World Cup,” he mentioned.
‘Axar picked for his batting’
India have picked a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup and the selectors resolution to omit premier leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has raised many eyebrows.
“They have picked Axar Patel ahead of Chahal because of his batting. So I think it’s a good selection. Chahal can still come back if someone gets injured. This is a 17-member squad, two, in any case, will have to move out,” mentioned Ganguly.
Key batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer too made returns from accidents. Rahul, nevertheless, continues to be carrying a niggle.
“He’s fit, not injured anymore,” he mentioned.
Commenting on the absence of a left-arm pacer within the squad, Ganguly defended the choice, saying, “They picked (players) on form, they picked their best fast bowling side. It’s the best pace attack.
“I believe it is a very reasonable facet, the best facet they’ve picked. It’s simply that they must play properly now.”
Pakistan will start the Asia Cup ahead of India as the No 2 ranked team, and they may even have a chance to become No 1 in ODIs if they beat Afghanistan 3-0 in the on-going series.
“Rankings do not matter, who performs properly on that day issues,” said Ganguly, but gave a reminder that the Babar Azam-led side will be a formidable opposition.
“They are an excellent facet. They have an excellent bowling assault — Naseem Shah, Shahid Afridi, Haris Rauf. They are a really balanced group. India is a powerful facet. It’s the way you play on that specific day; there isn’t a rocket science to it,” he said.
Looking forward to the riveting World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad, Ganguly said, “Both groups are formidable, and the one who executes (plans) higher will win the match.”
Ganguly then offered his perspective on head coach Rahul Dravid who was appointed to the helm when the former was the BCCI president.
“He’s too massive a participant to be rated. I want him all the very best for the World Cup,” he signed off.
(With inputs from PTI)
India final gained an ICC title in 2013 when MS Dhoni-led facet beat England within the Champions Trophy ultimate. Prior to that in 2011, India gained the ODI World Cup after 28 years.
Since 2013, India have featured in eight knockout matches, together with semifinals and finals, within the ICC tournaments however didn’t win a title.
“You cannot win World Cups all the time, there will be bad times, there will be gaps,” Ganguly mentioned.
India have misplaced two successive World Test Championships Finals in 2021 and 2023, whereas they exited in semifinals of the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2019, apart from shedding the Champions Trophy ultimate in 2017.
It’s the identical story in T20 World Cups. They misplaced the ultimate in 2014 and have been bundled out within the semifinals twice — 2016 and 2022.
However, India will probably be taking a shot at Cup glory throughout this World Cup at residence, and Ganguly mentioned their batsmen should ship.
“They will have to bat very well, if they bat well they will win,” Ganguly, who led India to the 2003 World Cup ultimate, mentioned.
India’s preparation will start with the Asia Cup 2023 the place they’ll face Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan earlier than taking part in a three-match collection towards Australia at residence.
Ganguly, nevertheless, mentioned every match would carry its personal dynamics.
“The World Cup is different, Asia Cup is different and the Australia home series is different. Every tournament depends on how they play that particular moment. India are a strong side; but they have to play well during the World Cup,” he mentioned.
‘Axar picked for his batting’
India have picked a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup and the selectors resolution to omit premier leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has raised many eyebrows.
“They have picked Axar Patel ahead of Chahal because of his batting. So I think it’s a good selection. Chahal can still come back if someone gets injured. This is a 17-member squad, two, in any case, will have to move out,” mentioned Ganguly.
Key batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer too made returns from accidents. Rahul, nevertheless, continues to be carrying a niggle.
“He’s fit, not injured anymore,” he mentioned.
Commenting on the absence of a left-arm pacer within the squad, Ganguly defended the choice, saying, “They picked (players) on form, they picked their best fast bowling side. It’s the best pace attack.
“I believe it is a very reasonable facet, the best facet they’ve picked. It’s simply that they must play properly now.”
Pakistan will start the Asia Cup ahead of India as the No 2 ranked team, and they may even have a chance to become No 1 in ODIs if they beat Afghanistan 3-0 in the on-going series.
“Rankings do not matter, who performs properly on that day issues,” said Ganguly, but gave a reminder that the Babar Azam-led side will be a formidable opposition.
“They are an excellent facet. They have an excellent bowling assault — Naseem Shah, Shahid Afridi, Haris Rauf. They are a really balanced group. India is a powerful facet. It’s the way you play on that specific day; there isn’t a rocket science to it,” he said.
Looking forward to the riveting World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad, Ganguly said, “Both groups are formidable, and the one who executes (plans) higher will win the match.”
Ganguly then offered his perspective on head coach Rahul Dravid who was appointed to the helm when the former was the BCCI president.
“He’s too massive a participant to be rated. I want him all the very best for the World Cup,” he signed off.
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com