Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly reckons Team India can win the upcoming ODI World Cup if they bat well. India had last won the 2011 World Cup when skipper MS Dhoni led the team to glory in the home conditions. In the last two World Cup editions of 2015 and 2019, India was knocked out of the tournament in the semi final stages by Australia and New Zealand respectively.
India has a potent batting order and they will look to deliver their best in the upcoming ODI showpiece. The experienced batters like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya will hold the key for the home team in the upcoming World Cup.
“They will have to bat very well, if they bat well they will win. The World Cup is different, Asia Cup is different and the Australia home series is different. Every tournament depends on how they play that particular moment. India are a strong side; but they have to play well during the World Cup,” said Ganguly on PTI.
Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel decided to leave out Yuzvendra Chahal and added Axar Patel to the Asia Cup squad as the latter can contribute while batting down the order.
“They have picked Axar Patel ahead of Chahal because of his batting. So I think it’s a good selection. Chahal can still come back if someone gets injured. This is a 17-member squad, two, in any case, will have to move out. I think it’s a very fair side, the right side they have picked. It’s just that they have to play well now,” Ganguly added.
On the other hand, the former BCCI president added that Pakistan also have a balanced squad and have a potent fast bowling attack in Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
“They are a very good side. They have a very good bowling attack — Naseem Shah, Shahid Afridi, Haris Rauf. They are a very balanced team. India is a strong side. It’s how you play on that particular day; there is no rocket science to it,” said Ganguly.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.
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