During the World Cup squad announcement, the Indian selection committee Chairman MSK Prasad has revealed that they are looking at Vijay Shankar for the no.4 batting option. However, the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly believes that Vijay Shankar’s bowling will also play an effective role for the national team in the upcoming World Cup.
England and Wales will host the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup from 30th May to 14th July. The all-rounder Vijay Shankar has earned an opportunity to feature in the upcoming World Cup.
Though he has impressed as a batsman, his bowling hasn’t proven much effective yet. After playing nine ODIs and nine T20Is, the right-arm medium pacer has taken only two and five wickets respectively.
However, Sourav Ganguly feels that Shankar’s bowling will be useful in English condition.
Ganguly recently told PTI, “Vijay Shankar will do well. He is a good young cricketer. His bowling will come handy. Let’s not be too negative about him. He has got a place because he has played in Australia and New Zealand and done well.”
Ganguly also added that the young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant didn’t need to worry for missing out this World Cup.
The former Indian captain added, “Yes, Pant also could have been part of this side but he need not worry. He has many more years. He is just 20, he will play a few World Cups.”
Ganguly is currently playing the advisor role for the IPL team Delhi Capitals (DC). Meanwhile, Pant is a regular member of this Delhi franchise side.
Sourav Ganguly believes that India can play with three front-line pacers in the upcoming World Cup
The former Indian captain Ganguly believes India can go with all the three front-line pacers in the upcoming World Cup.
He said, “Pandya is the first choice. If he gets injured, then (Ravindra) Jadeja. That allows them to play three fast bowlers. If anybody gets injured it is just a 10-hour flight.”
India will begin their upcoming World Cup journey on 5th June. In their opening game of this tournament, India will face South Africa at Southampton.
Sourav Ganguly believes that the upcoming World Cup will be very competitive
The top ten teams will participate in the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Each team will play against every other team during the Group Stage of the World Cup. Ganguly believes that the forthcoming World Cup will be very competitive.
He said, “This format was last tried in 1992 when everyone played everyone. In the past we felt there were one or two weak ones. This time it is not so. West Indies is strong, Australia is back to where they were, New Zealand is strong, India is strong. And Pakistan played very well in England.”
For the IPL 2019 success, Sourav Ganguly credited all the Delhi Capitals’ cricketers
Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals has already secured their place for the IPL 2019 playoffs. Since 2012, it is the first time for the Delhi franchise when they have qualified for the IPL playoffs. After playing 12 matches in this season, they have earned 16 points with eight victories and currently, they are leading the IPL 2019 points table. Ganguly has credited the players for this success.
He said, “I think a lot of credit should go the people who play in the XI. Because we guide them and try to help, try to keep them in a good frame of mind, keep the good confidence going. Even when I was the captain, it is the XI that matters. The real credit should go to the players.”
Ganguly individually praised almost all the regular players in this squad. While he has enjoyed Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant‘s battings, he also felt impressed with Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy.
Ganguly added, “I think everybody has played well, that’s why you get there. Shikhar has been outstanding. Rishabh Pant whenever he has got away from Delhi on good pitches, hard pitches where there is carry, he has been exceptional with the bat.
“Shreyas Iyer has been exceptional as a young captain and taken the responsibility and taken the team forward. He has been brilliant with the bat under pressure. Axar Patel, Rabada has been superb.”
Ishant Sharma has been a revelation – Sourav Ganguly
On the other hand, Ganguly also lauded the tall pacer Ishant Sharma for his tremendous improvement in T20 cricket. In the past, the experienced Indian pace bowler failed to perform consistently in the white ball cricket. However, in the ongoing IPL season, Ishant has performed consistently as an economical bowler. While he has bagged seven wickets in ten matches of this season, his economy rate is 7.44.
Ganguly said, “Ishant Sharma has been a revelation. A lot of people felt he was a Test match bowler but to come up and do well in T20s at this stage of the career shows you can turn it on any time you want. There is nobody called Test bowler, one day bowler or T20 bowler. It just how you adapt and make a difference to your own game.”
Ganguly has also said that they are focusing game by game in the ongoing IPL season.