New Delhi: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly opined that current Indian team skipper Rohit Sharma should fly to Australia to join the squad and play the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, starting on November 22.
On Saturday, Rohit announced the birth of his second child a day after wife Ritika Sajdeh delivered baby boy. Their family has now been extended to four members after the couple were blessed with a daughter named Samaira on December 30, 2018.
Much before the departure of the Indian team for Australia, Rohit’s availability for the series opener in Perth was a discussion. The reason wasn’t known then. The Mumbai-based cricketer himself wasn’t sure about his participation in the first Test when he was asked on it after the Test series whitewash against New Zealand.
Ganguly, who captained India to the famous Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in 2001, advised the Indian captain to leave for Australia immediately and lead the side in the first Test.
“I hope Rohit Sharma goes very soon, because the team needs leadership. I believe his wife delivered a baby boy yesterday (Friday) night so I am sure he can leave as early as possible. If I was in his position, I think he should be playing the Perth Test,” Ganguly told RevSportz.
“It’s a week away. This is a big series (and) he will not go to Australia after this. He is a fantastic captain. India needs his leadership to start with,” the former India captain added.
Shami needs to be on flight as soon as possible: Sourav Ganguly
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami recently made return to competitive cricket nearly a year after an injury layoff. He picked up seven wickets in both innings to help Bengal register their first win of the season after the Anustup Majumdar-led side defeated Madhya Pradesh by 11 runs in a thrilling match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Shami hasn’t been included in India’s Test squad for the five-match Test series against Australia with the selectors naming six frontline pacers, including all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to excel in the bounce and pacy conditions Down Under.
Ganguly feels that Shami’s addition to the squad would bolster the pace department and it will be beneficial for them given that pacers are prone to injuries, particularly in a month-long Test tour.
No. Little bit weakened, because [Jasprit] Bumrah, Shami, [Mohammed] Siraj is stronger than Bumrah, Siraj, and Prasidh [Krishna]. Definitely stronger. But fast bowlers do get injured, you cannot do anything about it. Mohammed Shami needs to be on the flight to Australia as soon as possible,” Ganguly said.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly opined that current Indian team skipper Rohit Sharma should fly to Australia to join the squad and play the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, starting on November 22. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
