Although India began their World Test Championship journey on August 22 without Rohit Sharma, Sourav Ganguly has tips on the same for Virat Kohli. Ganguly thinks that Kohli should try Rohit in the opening slot in the longer format of the game just like he does it in the limited over.
Dada bats for Rohit
Just ahead of the first Test match against West Indies, Sourav Ganguly shared his thoughts on a column in Times of India. Team India’s final squad for the Test was a discussing point. Especially the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane to maintain the proper balance was much talked about. Whereas a lot thought Rohit should be given chance, another group voted for Rahane for being Test specialist. Ganguly thinks both should be taken into consideration but with a different angle. How he turned ODI opener Virender Sehwag to a Test started is known to all. He wants Kohli to follow the same and Rohit to carry forward his momentum from last World Cup in Tests too. He wrote, “But, for India the major decision is whether they want to play Rohit or Rahane. It was a similar situation in South Africa. My suggestion would be to let Rohit carry on his good form from the World Cup and settle in the opener’s slot while Rahane continues his good work of lending stability to the middle-order.”
Ganguly on Indian Test team combination
In the case of wicket-keeper selection, Ganguly wants Rishabh Pant to get a chance. After his impressive performance in Australia and in England, Ganguly thinks Pant should be taken and that will help him to grow. Hardik Pandya’s absence demands Ravindra Jadeja in the combination according to the former captain. “For India, the most important aspect will be team composition. After his impressive showing in Test cricket in Australia and England, Rishabh Pant should be starting ahead of Wriddhiman. The absence of Hardik Pandya provides an opportunity to Ravindra Jadeja to fill in a slot where he can be a useful batter and the second spinner, which the management seem inclined towards.”
For the bowling department, he showed support Mohammed Shami in his writing. Ravichandran Ashwin, in the case, should be taken as the specialist spinner he thinks. “As for the specialist spinner, it should be the experienced R. Ashwin first and that would bring back the old pair of Jadeja and Ashwin together,” he explained
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