Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has labeled England as the favorites in the upcoming five-Test home series against India, set to begin on June 20. Despite this, Ganguly believes that India has a chance to come out on top if they can perform well with the bat throughout the series.
In their last five-match Test series in England in 2021/22, India managed to draw 2-2. They also secured a convincing 4-1 victory in their most recent Test series against England on home soil. However, India will be missing key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for this series, with Shubman Gill taking the reins as Test captain for the first time.
When asked about his prediction for the India-England Test series, Ganguly expressed his thoughts to Rev Sportz, saying, “I consider England favorites, but then I don’t believe in favorites. If India bat well, they have a chance.”
Ganguly also highlighted the significance of the upcoming series for head coach Gautam Gambhir, stating that it is a crucial test for him after facing challenges in recent Test series.
In terms of strategy for the series, Ganguly emphasized the importance of utilizing Jasprit Bumrah as a wicket-taking option at all times. Bumrah has been a standout performer for India in Tests, boasting 73 wickets in 14 matches at an impressive average of 15 since the beginning of last year.
However, concerns arise regarding Bumrah’s workload management, with the likelihood of him missing one or two Tests in the series. Ganguly suggested a strategic approach to ensure Bumrah’s fitness throughout the series, emphasizing the need to use him as a wicket-taker in short spells.
Furthermore, Ganguly stressed the importance of having a strong bowling attack, with other bowlers stepping up in Bumrah’s potential absence. He highlighted the need for four fast bowlers and the importance of backing the seven batters to secure the 20 wickets required to win Test matches.
Bumrah has a strong track record in English conditions, with 37 wickets at an average of 26.27 in nine matches, making his fitness crucial to India’s chances in the series.
In conclusion, Ganguly’s insights and recommendations provide valuable strategic guidance for India as they prepare to face England in the upcoming Test series. It will be interesting to see how the team implements these strategies and competes against the formidable English side. The 2021 World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland was a pivotal event that brought together leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to discuss pressing global issues. The theme of this year’s forum was “The Great Reset,” which focused on rebuilding a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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