Surprised to see the way Cook has used Moeen Ali: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly recently spoke at length about India’s dominion in the series thus far. He believes that it is the quality of spinners that has differentiated both the sides. He went on to call the difference between the spinners as ‘chalk and cheese’. He cited how the Indian spinners have been effective. At the same time, he noted key points on why the English spinners have failed thus far.

Owing to the fifties from R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav, India managed to take a healthy lead of 134 runs in the Mohali Test. Ashwin’s triple strike saw England dented on 78/4 by the end of the day 3. India looks in firm command in the match. Sourav Ganguly called the quality of spinners to be the reason for this.

He quoted, “It’s the quality of the spinners from the two sides. There’s a massive difference with the way Ashwin bowls, Jadeja bowls and Jayant Yadav bowls and Adil Rashid. It’s like chalk and cheese. There are hardly any loose deliveries (from Indians).”

Praising the Indian spinners, he noted that India have used their off-spinners well. Bowling off-spinners to left handed batsmen often work. No wonder why Alastair Cook struggled against off-spin duo of Yadav and Ashwin.

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“What India has done very well in this series after the first Test, they have bowled off-spinners to the left-handers. So on a pitch which is turning, shot selection and playing shots been a huge problem. Alastair Cook’s game has changed with those two off-spinners. The sweep shot hasn’t been there and the freedom has gone. India have really capitalised five or six left-hand batsmen of this English team,” Sourav Ganguly mentioned.

Ganguly was all praise for the Indian lower order. Ashwin, Jadeja and Jayant have been solid with the bat. He feels that this is a good sign for Indian cricket. While Ashwin and Jadeja are tested players, Jayant still needs to be tested in different conditions.

“They (Ashwin and Jadeja) are all-rounders in any case, including Jayant Yadav because he has looked very good in these two Test matches. His batting technique has looked pretty solid. I think they are quite capable players, especially in these conditions. With the ball seaming and bouncing, Ashwin has proved it, Jadeja has struggled at times and Jayant Yadav hasn’t played much. With time we’ll find out how good they are in difficult conditions but against this team they have been outstanding,” quoted the former Indian captain.

Lastly, Ganguly expressed his disbelief at how England have used Moeen Ali. Moeen Ali was one of the leading spinners when India had toured England in 2014. However, Alastair Cook has given him very few overs in this series.

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“I am really surprised and only Alastair Cook can answer the reason why the way he has used Moeen Ali in this series. I can’t imagine Moeen Ali bowling 10, 12, 13 overs in a Test match on pitches which turn square. Whether he’s injured or he has lost confidence in him or he’s looking at this England team as a batsman, I can’t answer that question. But it surprises me the way he has been used. Cook got to find a way to get Moeen Ali back on track. Get his spinners going in these conditions otherwise they’ll lose the next two Test matches as well,” remarked Ganguly.

Ganguly gave his verdict that the match will easily finish up on day 4. England will find it very tough to negotiate with the spinners on day 4. He conceded, “Two hours look pretty long tomorrow on the fourth-day pitch. I am expecting the match to finish by tomorrow. Maybe tea, maybe closer to end of day’s play unless somebody steps up and score a big hundred. Joe Root is still there which I think is a blessing for England. He might get a hundred and elongate this defeat but it’s only a matter of time.”