Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says it will be difficult for KL Rahul to avoid criticism for his long poor run due to high expectations of the job, especially when past cricketers have set high standards. .
Removed as vice-captain, Rahul has not crossed the 25-run mark in his last 10 Test innings. An average of less than 35 in 47 Tests is not a true sense of his true potential.
“When you don’t score runs in India, obviously you face criticism,” Ganguly said. KL Rahul has not been alone. There have been such players in the past as well. PTI In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of Delhi Capitals’ IPL pre-season camp.
Ganguly tried to put things in perspective as to why the Bangalore man is being retained despite repeated failures.
“There is a lot of focus and attention with a lot of pressure on the players. The team management thinks he is an important player for the team. At the end of the day, what the coach and captain think is important,” 113 Tests and 311 The veteran ODI player said.
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While Rahul has played some quality innings in England and Australia, Ganguly said it was obvious that people would expect too much from a talented player like Rahul, who has scored just five Test centuries in nine years.
“He has performed but obviously you expect a lot from a top-order batsman playing for India because the standards set by others are very high.
“When you fail for a while, obviously there will be criticism. I believe Rahul has the potential and I believe he will find ways to score when he gets more opportunities. ” He explained.
So is Rahul’s problem technical or mental? “Both,” comes Pete’s reply.
But the former BCCI president also gave an interesting insight into Rahul’s lack of runs as he has been dismissing pacers as well as spinners in all conditions in recent times.
“If you’re playing on pitches like that, it makes it harder because the balls are turning and bouncing. There’s uneven bounce and when you’re not in form, it makes it even harder.”
‘Shubman will have to wait’
Shubman Gill has been rumored to be included in the playing XI but Ganguly feels the Punjab player will get his share and there is no problem if he has to wait a little.
But what do you say to a Shabman who has to cool his heels in red-hot form? I am sure he will get many opportunities when his time comes. I think selectors, captains and coaches think about him and rate him very highly. That is why he is playing ODIs and T20Is and he has performed. as well as.
“But at this point, maybe the message from team management is that it will have to wait.”
While India have secured victories in both Tests, apart from Rohit Sharma, the top-order batsmen have flattered to cheat with no one making a fifty. Asked if the concept of dominant batsmen against spinners seems too foreign these days, Ganguly replied: “I don’t. These are very difficult wickets. I’ve seen them in the first two Tests and it’s easy.” Boss wasn’t there. Playing Ashwin, Jadeja, Lyon and new guy Todd Murphy, it’s never going to be easy with the odd ball turning square. Everything is happening for the spinners.”
‘This is not Steve Waugh’s Australia’
India have won two Test matches in a total of five days of cricket and Ganguly is not surprised.
“India is a different beast in India. They are a pretty good all-round team but they are very difficult to beat in India. When it starts to turn, they are a better side than anybody,” he was quick in his reaction. .
Is a 4-0 scoreline a realistic possibility for India? Ganguly thinks so. “I think so. I don’t know how Australia can stop it,” he was pragmatic in his assessment of Australia’s performance.
“The problem is we keep comparing this Australian team to the teams of the past and it’s not the same. You don’t have Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Steve and Mark Waugh, (Adam) Gilchrist, you is the name of. You don’t have that quality.
“Steve Smith is a great player. (David) Warner doesn’t have to go, (Marins) Libeschen is a good player but it’s a tough situation for him too.
“The mistake we make with Australian teams is we think it’s Steve Waugh’s Australia but it’s not. Different players are tested differently in different situations.”
‘was in touch with Pant’
Ganguly is the director of cricket for Delhi Capitals and one of the toughest challenges for him is to fill the gap created by the unavailability of Rishabh Pant, who suffered a horrific accident and underwent surgery recently. .
“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. Obviously he’s going through a tough time, with injuries and surgeries and I wish him well. In a year’s time or two years’ time. Me, he will play back. India,” Ganguly’s voice had a hint of sadness as he spoke about a player he was very fond of.
Would they like to see Pant spend some time with the team during the IPL which could also help in his recovery?
“Don’t know. We’ll see,” Ganguly said.
DC is yet to announce Pant’s replacement and Ganguly is yet to decide on who is better between young Turk Abhishek Poral and homegrown veteran Sheldon Jackson.
“We still need some time to find out. The next camp will start before the IPL.”
David Warner is set to lead DC, with Axar Patel as his deputy this season.
Ganguly supervised a three-day camp in Kolkata which was attended by Prithvi Shaw, Ishant Sharma, Chetan Sakaria, Manish Pandey among other domestic players.
“IPL is still a month away and the season has just started. It’s hard to get together with all the players playing as much cricket. There are four or five who are playing in the Irani Trophy. Sarfraz has an injured finger and No broken finger. He should be fine for the IPL,” he concluded.
