Here's why Sourav Ganguly is not sure about India's victory at the World Cup

Why Sourav Ganguly is not sure about India's victory at the World Cup

Kolkata, May 14:

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been one of the ex-cricketers who have consistently called for young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to be included in the World Cup squad.

On Monday, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president reiterated his stand, lamenting that the Indian team will miss Pant during the marquee tournament which starts in the UK on May 30.

"India will miss Pant at the World Cup. I don't know in whose place but he will be surely missed," Ganguly told reporters at the Eden Gardens here.

The national selectors had caused a major debate when they kept Pant out of the World Cup squad, deciding instead to include experienced Dinesh Karthik as the second-choice wicket-keeper.

The explosive 21-year-old left-hander later showcased brilliant form at the just concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), playing a major role in Delhi Capitals' run to the play-offs by amassing 488 runs from 16 matches at an average of 37.53 and a strike rate of 162.66.

Ganguly, who is a mentor with Delhi Capitals, felt that the selectors may decide to give Pant a chance if all-rounder Kedar Jadhav fails to recover from a shoulder injury sustained during the IPL.

"He (Kedar) is injured. I hope Kedar gets fit in time for the World Cup. It's difficult to say whether he will be able to get fit or not," Ganguly said.

Talking about Delhi's run to the IPL play-offs, Ganguly asserted that the team played well, but will aim to improve in a few areas next season.

Delhi had lost to defending champions and eventual runners-up Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Qualifier 2 to crash out of the IPL.

"We played exceptionally well during the IPL. But unfortunately, two other teams made it to the final. The season has just ended, we have not thought about the future yet," the former star batsman said.

Asserting that Mumbai Indians richly deserved to win a historic fourth IPL title, Ganguly rated their captain Rohit Sharma and CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the best captains in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

"The two best captains of the IPL contested the final and one of them won. Everyone will learn under pressure. Both CSK and Mumbai have been fantastic in the IPL," Ganguly said.

News24 Bureau

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