Sourav Ganguly backs Virat Kohli; wants to see this star play Test cricket: ‘ I hope he is listening’

The senior batters of the team are under fire for failing to deliver time and again in knockout matches. India were bundled out for 296 in reply to Australia’s 469 in the first innings. In the second innings, the side got all out for 234.

Kohli and Pujara both got stars in the second innings but failed to convert them into big scores. However, Ganguly is of the view that it’s not yet the time to look beyond the two batting mainstays.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions due to just one loss, India will always have talent. And I don’t think it is time to look beyond Virat (Kohli) or (Cheteshwar) Pujara. Virat is just 34,” said Ganguly on India Today.

‘Hope Hardik Pandya is listening, want to see him play Test cricket’

Further, Ganguly said he doesn’t consider IPL performances an apt criteria for selection in Test squad. The former India reckoned that there are many players in the domestic cricket who are raring to showcase their talent in front of the world, adding that India will never have dearth of quality players.

He took a few names including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad who will keep Indian cricket in good stead. Ganguly had a special mention for Hardik Pandya who has sidelined himself from Test cricket since incurring a career-threatening back injury in 2018.

Ganguly has urged Hardik Pandya to play Test cricket for India especially in overseas conditions.

“India has enormous reserves. When you look at some of the performances. I don’t consider IPL performances if we are sticking to Test cricket. In domestic cricket there are some fantastic players and you will only find out when you give them opportunities.

“Whether it be Jaiswal or Patidar, Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal scores a lot of runs. Shubman Gill is young, Ruturaj Gaikwad and I hope Hardik Pandya is listening. I want to see him play Test cricket, especially in these conditions,” said Ganguly.