Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has backed under-fire Virat Kohli to score another hundred in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Speaking exclusively to India Today after Day 4 of the Gabba Test match, Ganguly advised Kohli to leave more balls in the earlier part of his innings.
Kohli failed to leave an impact in the first innings of the Brisbane Test match, edging the ball wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Kohli’s problems outside the off stump have compounded with the batter getting dismissed in a similar manner multiple times.
“Virat Kohli is getting out. He has to leave the ball. He probably needs to be a bit more patient because they will keep bowling to him outside the off stump, outside the off stump. But I am sure he will score runs. He scored a century in the first Test, and by the time the series finishes, he will get another hundred,” Ganguly told India Today.
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Ganguly also praised Bengal’s Akash Deep, who played a crucial role on Day 4 in saving India from a follow-on in the third Test. Akash Deep partnered with Kasprit Bumrah on Day 4 to play out more than 50 balls. The duo added an unbeaten 39 runs together and helped India get over the 245-run threshold.
“Bengal’s Akash Deep saved the follow-on for India. I have seen the aggression of Akash Deep and Gautam Gambhir. That’s what a Test match requires. They have two more Test matches to go. It’s a long series, but it still keeps them all. If they can bat well, they can beat Australia in both Test matches,” Ganguly said.
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The former Board of Control for Cricket in India president also weighed in on Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat at number six. Ganguly said that the India captain might be finding it difficult because he is not getting to face the new ball.
“I don’t know the reason behind Rohit Sharma not playing as an opener. Many times, when you bat at number six, you have to face the new ball. I have batted at number six for India. Most of the time, you have to play the second new ball. I think, as he is an opener, he is batting at number six because he has to face the second new ball.”
On Rohit Sharma’s sacrifice to accommodate KL Rahul, Ganguly said, “Sacrificing his batting position for KL Rahul, that’s Rohit Sharma’s call. KL Rahul is in form, that’s why he is not tinkering with him, but I am sure Rohit can also bat at number three, but that’s his decision.”
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