The highly anticipated final of the first World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand is just around the horizon. If Indian captain Virat Kohli wins the toss and chooses to bat or bowl in the WTC Final, one of the most difficult decisions for the Indian side would be deciding between batting and bowling. The overcast conditions, according to popular opinion, aren’t ideal for the Indian camp for batting because the pitch will help the seamers. Let’s discuss, Sourav Ganguly’s Choice if India won The Toss In The WTC Final
Sourav Ganguly’s Choice if India won The Toss In The WTC Final
The former Indian captain and current president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly thinks that India should bat regardless of the weather conditions. Ganguly highlighted examples of past matches in which India had won after batting first. Virat Kohli and his teammates should be put under pressure early in the game, according to the former Indian captain.
“If you dig into the record books and see India’s best overseas performances (save 2021 Australia), we have always won matches when we have batted first. It’s about a choice whether you want to face the pressure first up in adverse conditions or wait for the fourth innings”, Ganguly said While speaking to India Today.
“Look at Leeds in 2002 or 2018 South Africa, we batted first in bowling friendly conditions, soaked in the initial pressure, put runs on the board and that’s how we won those games. Even Mark Taylor or Steve Waugh’s Australian teams rarely fielded even in seaming conditions. Maybe occasionally when the wicket used to be damp,” said Ganguly.
‘Opening becomes a very important aspect when you tour abroad’: Sourav Ganguly
India revealed their much-discussed playing XI for the WTC final against New Zealand on Thursday. The Indian side has selected proven opening batsman Rohit Sharma and youngster Shubman Gill to start the innings. Ganguly feels Rohit and Gill play a crucial role in getting the new ball old enough for the middle-order batsmen to fire. The WTC final, followed by a five-match Test series against England, is essential for India’s starting pair, according to the legend.
“Opening becomes a very important aspect when you tour abroad. When we toured Australia, England, and Pakistan, we played well because we had openers like Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra, who used to play out the new ball and make it old. When your middle-order batsmen come out to bat at 30 for 2 then it becomes really difficult for a side to compete,” Ganguly said.
“This tour, therefore, will be very crucial for openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Not just the WTC final but also the 5 Tests against England. They will have to play out the new ball and put a price on their wickets. If they are able to do that then they will be able to set the game for the batsmen coming after them like Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and India’s best batsman on current form Rishabh Pant,” he added.
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