‘Virat lucky to get 13 Tests at home’
NEW DELHI:Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly believes Virat Kohli was fortunate to have a string of 13 home Tests in a season, but hails the No 1 ranked side for taking performances to a new level.
In a column for the ICC, Ganguly said: “Virat will consider himself lucky as I don’t recall any Indian captain and his team having an opportunity to play as many as 13 Tests at home in a single season. “You still have to win a game, even at home, but we all knew India would win at least eight Tests, and they won as many as 10, missing a sure win in one, saving one and losing one.”
Australia batted out of their skin to save the Ranchi Test while India lost the first game in Pune. The hosts had to fight for a draw in the first Test against England in Rajkot.
RAISING STANDARDS
Ganguly believes the current team has set new standards. “Having watched the last 13 home Tests, I hope Virat and his team really has the potential to win anywhere — in or outside India.”
He was impressed with the Dharamsala win. “I was sitting at home around lunch time on Day 3 when Australia began its second innings. Over the next hour or so, I watched such great fast and hostile bowling by Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The way they got the Australians hopping to the pace, I am so pleased for Virat.
“The most memorable win came in conditions tailor-made for the Australians more than the Indians. The fact that India beat the Aussies at their game will surely give another twist to Virat’s captaincy.
“Umesh is so confident. He knows what he’s doing and credit to Virat for making Umesh realise what he can do. When India travel to South Africa this year and to England and Australia the next Virat will need his pacers to be fit. If he can get a good third fast bowler, behind Umesh and Mohammed Shami, India will be a threatening side.”
Virat’s courage has floored Ganguly. “Why do I salute him? During the England series and in the Kolkata Test against New Zealand, I spoke at length with Virat and not once did he ask me or the curator for any alterations to the pitch. He was just willing to take on the opposition, no matter how the conditions were.”