I still believe Gautam Gambhir is a very good player: Sourav Ganguly

Indian opener Lokesh Rahul was ruled out of the series after injuring his hamstring during the 1st Test in Kanpur and that paved way for Gautam Gambhir’s comeback in the team. There were calls for his inclusion in the squad for the home series against New Zealand but the selectors were criticised for overlooking him when he wasn’t named in the original squad of 15. Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly who is also the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal hosting the 2nd Test is quite pleased with Gambhir’s inclusion.

While talking to India Today Dada called it a great opportunity for the left-hander but at the same time also questioned the possibility of him getting a place in the XI. “Great opportunity for him, but the question is will he play? The good thing for him is also that the next 13 Tests are at home and if he gets an opportunity and if he gets runs, it will be a big season for him on these flat pitches,” Ganguly said.

Gauti had put in the hard work, he has been among runs in domestic cricket forever and the recent run of form in the Duleep Trophy where he also led his team India Blue to the title bettered his chance even further.

“He also deserved it with all those runs in the Duleep Trophy playing the pink ball…this is part and parcel of professional sport, you get dropped and come back again. He has to be careful in this period not only he has to score runs but also get his technique right in playing fast bowling overseas as an opener.

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“Once he gets runs here he will get an opportunity after a year and half to travel to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. He is about 34 years of age and not getting any younger, so it’s going to get a bit difficult against that pace in those conditions and use this time to become a better player,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly also advised to believe in himself and needs to deploy all his attributes to ensure he performs. “He has got to believe in himself and speak to himself and only to himself, nobody will help him and nobody can help him. It’s his inner within, his belief, his grit and determination he needs to work on to make sure he starts getting runs.

“He also knows that the opportunities will be limited and the first two innings will be very important to get the belief back among the captain and the selectors. I would have wanted his return in overseas conditions, nonetheless whatever opportunity he has got he should make the most of it. I still believe he is a very good player,” Dada said.

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