Rohit moves up in rankings
I DON’T THINK RAHANE’S FORM IS A WORRY, SAYS GANGULY
Dubai, Dec. 18: Indian opener Rohit Sharma’s third career double hundred in the just-concluded series against Sri Lanka has pushed him up two spots to fifth in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings among batsmen.
It’s the first time that Rohit has crossed the 800-point mark as he ended the threematch ODI series which India won 2-1 with 816 points.
Though he has enjoyed a career-high ranking of third in February 2016, he reached a personal high of 825 points after the second match in Mohali when he struck an unbeaten 208, his third ODI double-century.
Rohit’s opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, named player of the series, too has gained one slot to reach 14th position after aggregating 168 runs including an unbeaten 100 in Visakhapatnam. Dhawan had slammed 68 in the second match, figuring in a 115-run opening stand with Rohit. Virat Kohli, who rested himself from the Sri Lanka series, still leads the batting chart with 876 points, ahead of South African A B de Villiers (872).
Among the bowlers, Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has moved up 23 places to take 28th place after finishing with six wickets in the series. Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has moved up 16 places to take a career-best 56th slot while all-rounder Hardik Pandya has gained 10 slots to also reach a careerbest 45th position. Pune, Dec. 18: Ajinkya Rahane’s wretched form will not be a big concern for the South Africabound Indian team, feels former captain Sourav Ganguly.
Rahane has scored only 17 runs in five innings against Sri Lanka at home but his record outside sub continent makes him a vital cog in the wheel.
“No, I don’t think Ajinkya Rahane’s form is a concern as he is a quality player. Virat Kohli, Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay have all been to South Africa. The best thing is that they are going back to South Africa as better players,” Ganguly said.
For Sri Lanka, Upul Tharanga has gained 15 places to reach 36th position among batsmen with his current tally of 571 points, his highest in five years. Niroshan Dickwella has gained seven places to take 37th position. Pace bowler Suranga Lakmal (up 14 places to 22nd) and all-rounder Angelo Mathews (up nine places to 45th) have moved up in the list for bowlers. There has been no change of positions in the ICC ODI Team Rankings. India (second with 119 points) could have overtaken South Africa (121) to take top position with a 3-0 win against Sri Lanka. — PTI
The former captain is impressed with current bowling attack but wants to wait till he watches them in action. “We will find out if this is the best bowling attack or not. They have got pace for sure. Umesh has pace, Bhuvneshwar is in good form, so let’s wait,” he said.
While conditions will determine the playing XI in Cape Town on January 5, Ganguly is not averse to trying out Hardik Pandya at No 6, something a lot of experts are skeptical considering his technique in bouncy conditions is not well documented.
“You will not realise till you give Hardik a chance. Depends on how you want to go about it,” said one of India’s shrewdest captain.
“Rohit Sharma did well in the two chances that he got. If it’s a flat track, may be we should have that extra fast bowler in the XI but if it’s a green top, we should definitely have an extra batsman,” he opined.
Ganguly, who is the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), picked Shikhar Dhawan as his choice as opening partner of Murali Vijay.
“Shikhar Dhawan has been in such great form and Murali Vijay has also played well against Sri Lanka,” he said. While India have talent to do well, winning a series will be easier said than done.
“India are a good team but it won’t be easy that much I can tell you,” he added.