Ganguly said on Lokesh Rahul, if you do not score runs in India, there will be criticism
Kolkata. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says it will be difficult for Lokesh Rahul to avoid harsh criticism over a prolonged period of poor performance given the huge expectations attached to his job, especially when former cricketers have set high standards. Rahul, who was removed from the vice-captaincy, has not even been able to cross the 25-run mark in his last 10 Test innings. He has scored in 47 Tests at an average of less than 35 which doesn’t really reflect his potential.
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In an exclusive interview to PTI on the sidelines of Delhi Capitals’ IPL pre-season camp, Ganguly said, “When you don’t score runs in India, you will definitely be criticized. Lokesh Rahul is not alone. Many players have faced this situation in the past as well.” The team management feels that he is an important player for the team. At the end of the day what matters is what the coach and the captain think.” Has scored five Test centuries.
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“He has performed but obviously you expect a lot more from a top-order batsman playing for India because the standards set by others are very high,” Ganguly said. If you fail, then of course there will be criticism. I am sure Rahul has the potential and I am sure when he gets more opportunities he will find ways to score runs. Is Rahul’s problem technical or mental? When asked, Ganguly said, “Both.” Along with getting out against the spinners as well. He said, “If you are playing on pitches like this, it becomes more difficult because the ball is getting bounce along with the turn. There is uneven bounce and when you are not in form, it becomes even more difficult. There is no harm if they have to wait a little. Despite being in excellent form, Shubman is unable to make it to the playing XI.
Ganguly said, “I am sure when his time comes, he will also get a lot of opportunities. I think the selectors, captain and coach think about him and rate him very highly. That is why he is playing ODIs and T20s and he has performed as well. But barring skipper Rohit Sharma, the top-order batsmen haven’t scored a half-century. On whether batsmen are not able to dominate against spinners, Ganguly said, “I don’t think so. These are very tough wickets. I saw in the first two Tests and it is not easy. Playing Ashwin, Jadeja, Lyon and newcomer Todd Murphy, it’s never going to be easy as some balls turn a lot. There is uneven bounce here, there is a lot of help for the spinners.” India won the first two Tests in a total of five days and Ganguly is not fazed by it.
He said, “India is a different team in its own country. They are a very good team everywhere but they are very difficult to beat in India. When the ball starts to spin, they are better than any other team.” Is a 4-0 win a realistic possibility for India? Ganguly said, “I think so. I don’t know how Australia can stop this. “The problem is we keep comparing this Australian team with the teams of the past and it is not the same. You don’t have Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Steve and Mark Waugh, (Adam) Gilchrist. You don’t have players of that level.” Ganguly said, “Steve Smith is a great player. (David) Warner hasn’t found the rhythm, (Marnus) Labushen is a good player but these are difficult conditions for him too. It is believed that they are Steve Waugh’s Australian team but it is not so. Different players have different tests in different situations.
One of the toughest challenges for Ganguly, the Director of Cricket of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, is to fill in for Rishabh Pant who has been unavailable after recently suffering a horrific accident and undergoing surgery. Ganguly said, “I spoke to him many times. He is obviously going through a tough time after injuries and surgeries and I wish him well. Maybe in a year or a few years, he can play for India again.” Would he like to see Pant with the team for some time during the IPL to help him recover as well? Ganguly said, “Don’t know. we will see.”
The Delhi team is yet to announce Pant’s replacement and Ganguly is yet to decide who is better between young Abhishek Porel and experienced Sheldon Jackson. David Warner is likely to lead the team while Akshar Patel will be the vice-captain this season. Under the guidance of Ganguly, a three-day camp was organized in Kolkata in which Prithvi Shaw, Ishant Sharma, Chetan Sakaria, Manish Pandey and other domestic players participated. “IPL is still a month away and the season has just started. It is difficult to bring all the players together considering the amount of cricket they play. Four or five players are playing Irani Trophy. Sarfaraz’s finger is hurt. There is no fracture in his finger. He should be fine for IPL.
