diga Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, believes Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag should be handed Test comebacks, given the overseas challenges India have lined up next year. He also backed Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina for the No. 4 and No. 6 spots in the line-up. "They [sehwag and Zaheer] must immediately be brought back into the Test side," Ganguly told the Indian Express. "Don't forget India will be playing 13 Tests overseas in the next one year or so. You need players with pedigree and experience in those conditions. And Sehwag and Zaheer have those qualities. "Zaheer still is the best pace bowler India have. He can do so many things with the ball. I assure you that both Sehwag and Zaheer are not yet finished." Following a prolonged slump, Zaheer was dropped from the Test side late last year, and Sehwag last played a Test in March. They were ignored in subsequent A squads, but got call-ups for the West Indies A series that led into the new domestic season. While Zaheer seemed to get back in rhythm the more he bowled against West Indies A, picking up a seven wickets in four innings, Sehwag failed to register any score of note. However, that should not be held against Sehwag, Ganguly said: "A player of Sehwag's class shouldn't be judged on his performance in domestic cricket and List A games. He should be judged by his Test record." Following the West Indies Tests at home, India have two matches in South Africa, two in New Zealand and five in England already scheduled until next August. And with Tendulkar set to retire against West Indies, the No. 4 slot in the Test line-up will be left vacant for the first time in years. The No. 6 slot, which Ganguly vacated in 2008, is also yet to be permanently filled, with none of the younger players who have been tried out there impressing sufficiently. Ganguly said Rohit, who has played over 100 ODIs but has underachieved, is the best man for No. 4. He has a remarkable first-class average of 60.78 in 58 games, but is yet to make his Test debut. Raina, meanwhile, could slot in at No. 6, Ganguly said. "Yes, a couple of places would be up for grabs, No. 4 and No. 6. You need a specialist batsman at No.6 in overseas conditions. And my choices are Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina respectively. They have the game and are the best options available." Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami, who had troubled Australia with pace and bounce in the Ranchi ODI on Wednesday and whom Ganguly had captained in domestic games, is also ready for Test cricket, he said. "Not only limited-overs cricket, Shami is ready for Tests as well. He should be there in the Test side. He has got the pace, has the ability to move the ball, can bowl yorkers and has a deceptive bouncer that troubles batsmen." There is no doubt about Yuvraj Singh's place in the one-day side, leading up to the 2015 World Cup, he said. "India need Yuvraj in the next World Cup. He's a match-winner, so don't write him off after just a couple of failures [in the Australia ODIs]. He got two good deliveries. Yuvraj must be persisted with."
FischerTal Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 this is 2013, not 2007. Dada stop living on past glories. Only Zak has chance to make a decent comeback.
G_B_ Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 yeah ganguly needs to stop pushing for his ex team mates. its nice and all that he is loyal to them, but not in the best interests of india. Zaheer needs to perform for mumbai to be considered for WI
rkt.india Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 yeah ganguly needs to stop pushing for his ex team mates. its nice and all that he is loyal to them, but not in the best interests of india. Zaheer needs to perform for mumbai to be considered for WI Zaheer can come if he can stay fit. Test matches need long-term fitness.
saneindian Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 Wonder why he left out Bhajji. And Dinda :P Sehwag hasn't done anything and will need 2-3 FC 100s and Vijay to fail before the SA series for a comeback. Gambhir has a much better chance of a comeback, has hit 3 FC 100s since being dropped. Zaheer however looks to be on course for a comeback to tests. WIll be interesting to see if they pick him for the 1st test vs WI straightaway or ask him to play more FC cricket and pick him for the 2nd test or for the SA test directly after he's played 4-5 FC matches.
G_B_ Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 its not just about finess when england toured india zaheer was fit enough and he sucked. Maybe you need to axe Dawes and make Zaheer a bowling coach. As he has played with many of the young bowlers we have currently he knows how they think.
G_B_ Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 I just hope Ganguly does not become the michael vaughan of the indian cricketing media bit of a media *****, who feels compelled to give opinions and makes numerous appearances on various channels.
saneindian Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 In his own words, Zaheer said he was bulky which was effecting his bowling and hence he went for the fitness program. Sachin's final Ranji match being shown live will give us a good ides of how much the loss of weight has helped Zaheer. He did bowl a very good spell on last day of the 2nd test vs WI A and reports said he was bowling at good pace.
G_B_ Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 does anybody have links for that match? for people in the uk
rkt.india Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 does anybody have links for that match? for people in the uk Wasn't live.
saneindian Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 does anybody have links for that match? for people in the uk Link for Mumbai vs Haryana match? Its live on ESPN here, so most streaming sites should have it
NareshK Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 Sehwag doesn't seem to have a chance of coming back. He had a dreadful run before being dropped and he was given lots of chances to get his form back. He was responsible for India losing many games. The worst part was he looked like he wasn't working hard enough and looked lethargic on the field and used to give away his wicket casually, as though it didnt mean anything to him. He hasn't done anything in domestic cricket after being dropped and I don't think he will do well overseas. Zaheer could still make a comeback if he shows he is fit and can still pick wickets. He did well in a few domestic games recently if I remember correctly.
vvvslaxman Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 Wonder why he left out Bhajji. And Dinda :P Sehwag hasn't done anything and will need 2-3 FC 100s and Vijay to fail before the SA series for a comeback. Gambhir has a much better chance of a comeback, has hit 3 FC 100s since being dropped. Zaheer however looks to be on course for a comeback to tests. WIll be interesting to see if they pick him for the 1st test vs WI straightaway or ask him to play more FC cricket and pick him for the 2nd test or for the SA test directly after he's played 4-5 FC matches. He is doing ground work. :cantstop:
adi B Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 dada loves motu and zak,so i can digest that comment but raina @6???? hell,now thats the bhaang talking
Trundler27 Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 lol @ raina for the number 6 slot and that too for overseas tests in SAF, ENG, NZ, etc...... I'd much rather prefer jaddu in that position given his better FC batting record and better bowling ability (fielding is pretty similar). Gangu needs to look beyond his tried and tested gang members. I agree that Zak still has 1-2 seasons left in him for India in Tests.
The Realist Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 I just hope Ganguly does not become the michael vaughan of the indian cricketing media bit of a media *****, who feels compelled to give opinions and makes numerous appearances on various channels. Agree Vaughan is just a tool - spews nonsense constantly and has zero credibility Would be sad if Ganguly went down that route
Scarves Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 I disagree. Vaughan is smarter than people give him credit. Anyway if they are performing in Domestic then give them a run.
G_B_ Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 Agree Vaughan is just a tool - spews nonsense constantly and has zero credibility Would be sad if Ganguly went down that route Are you living in the UK? I used to like him cause i do feel he is fair minded. But the problem is he is all over the place giving opinions from football matches to rugby to cricket. In the football apparently he works for a betting website. Horse-racing..... He does a radio show with 5 live with Phil Tuffnel , is part of TMS, the highlights on channel 5. Was on popular show strictly come dancing and comments on that and offers odds. During the Gareth Bale saga he kept tweeting total crap. Small mercy he has not started commenting on politics.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now