Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly feels that the Indian team will be disappointed after their performance On Day 1 against Australia in the ultimate World Championship Final. Rohit Sharma-led side could not utilize conditions in the Oval, as they let the Australian batters settle in the initial phase of the innings.
With the conditions favouring the pacers, Rohit Sharma opted to bowl on the green top surface in the Kennington Oval, as the Indian fast bowlers could not bowl with discipline throughout Day 1 making some errors in the line and length throughout the three sessions giving away some easy boundaries for Travis Head.
Speaking to broadcasters, analyzing Day 1, Sourav Ganguly said that the Indian team would be not happy with the way they bowled in the 1st innings of the game, as they let off the hook so easily after picking up three wickets for 76 runs just after the lunch, as they let in Steve Smith and Travis Head to form partnership over 200 runs, as they the game down after the lunch.
“India will be a bit disappointed. They had Australia at 76/3 and let them get off the hook. I know that partnerships happen in cricket. There will be a batting team who will come back and play well. I thought India started well just after Lunch but lost the feel a bit as the game progressed,” Sourav Ganguly said.
Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami bowled exceptionally well with the new ball, as they could not find support from Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur could not play the role of the third and fourth pacer in the team, as they could not make an impact for the team giving away some easy runs for the Australian batters.
I Thought They Let Travis Head Get Off The Hook Very Easily – Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly feels that the Indian bowlers, let Travis Head settle in easily in the middle, as the Indian bowlers rarely troubled the Australian Southpaw, and also feels that Rohit Sharma’s fielding placement was not upto the mark as they gave some easy runs for the Australian team.
“I thought they let Travis Head get off the hook very easily. I know he has been in good form, he has scored a lot of runs, but still, they were 76/3. I think Rohit Sharma with his field placements at that stage probably allowed some easy runs to happen and now Australia is in a good position.
“This will be the best time to bat after Tea and Australia will be very happy going into the final session,” Sourav Ganguly added.
Travis Head and Steve Smith batted exceptionally well on Day 1, as they helped Australia to be in a comfortable position at the end of Day 1 and will look to continue their fine form going into the second day of the ultimate test.