‘India’s fast bowling cannot get any better’- Sourav Ganguly analyses India’s Asia cup squad 2023
The Indian cricket board’s former president Sourav Ganguly recently got in a conversation with Star Sports and opined about India’s 17-man squad for the Asia Cup 2023. Being a successful Indian team captain himself, Ganguly gave some interesting insights about the Indian squad.
The former India cricketer discussed how India has selected a strong fast-bowling lineup, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. He also discussed the number four batter spot and believes anyone can bat on that number who is in good form be it Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul in both Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
“It’s a very strong team. Bumrah is back, which makes the team even stronger. The bowling attack is very good – Shami, Bumrah, Siraj. You can’t get a better fast bowling attack. And the spin, Jadeja, the wrist spinner. Top batters. India is a fantastic side, who just have to turn up and play good, determined cricket during the Asia Cup and the World Cup,” said Sourav Ganguly.
Sourav Ganguly on himself and Sachin Tendulkar batting in the middle order
“Number 4 is just a number. Anybody can fit in. So, I really don’t think I believed, even when I was playing, that anybody is born as an opener or at number 3 or 4. You know, I started in the middle order in one-day cricket and then went on to open because I was asked to do so by Sachin at that time as captain. I think it’s the same thing with Sachin. He batted at number 6 till his captain asked him to open, and he became a world-class player” he added.
“So, anybody can play at number 4, you know? There is Virat Kohli who can bat at number 4, there is Shreyas Iyer, once he does well in the Asia Cup. There’s KL Rahul. India has enormous talent. I keep hearing that we don’t have this, we don’t have that, we have too much, that’s the problem, that you can’t decide. See, when you have too many homes to stay, you can’t decide which one is more comfortable for you. If you have one, you know that’s the place I can stay. So, I think number 4 is what Rahul and the selectors and Rohit need to do; decide that this is my number 4 and I will continue with him till the World Cup. One batting slot does not make much of a difference”, he concluded.
