Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly has hit out at criticism from the Indian team after a successful tour of South Africa. He said that every time the Rohit Sharma-led team loses a match, people talk as if the entire team is bad and cannot play.
Team India came under severe criticism when they suffered a one-innings drubbing and a 32-run defeat against South Africa in the Centurion Test. The Rohit Sharma-led team looked clueless as they were not up to par with bat and ball in the game.
Many doubts started to arise as before the series, India already lost the final of the ICC World Cup 2023. However, they staged a years-long comeback and put up a sensational performance in the second test in Cape Town, which is considered the strength of the South African team.
India outclassed South Africa in the Cape Town Test as they first bowled them out for just 55 runs and then took a 98-run lead. They then bowled well in the second innings and castled the opponents for just 176 runs to set a target of 79 runs, which they chased with 7 wickets in hand.
With the victory, India became the first team to win the Test match in Cape Town. They also drew the series for the first time since 2010-11. After winning, the Rohit Sharma-led team received a lot of praise from all over the world.
Sourav Ganguly highlighted that India had a successful tour in South Africa. Speaking to reporters, he explained:
“India is a great team. If they lose a game, people talk as if the whole team is bad. One win in the ODI series, 1-1 in T20Is and 1-1 in Tests. What other thing? “They are a very good team.”
India, in particular, had a great outing in South Africa. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, they drew the T20I series and then followed it up with a win in the ODI series. KL Rahul captained the team and they won the series 2-1.
IND vs SA: Sourav Ganguly bats for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s inclusion in T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Sourav Ganguly was also asked his opinion on the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. He did not hesitate and immediately said that the duo should play in the team.
Sourav Ganguly opined that Rohit Sharma should captain the team in the tournament and also praised Virat Kohli as an outstanding player and said that he should be part of the team for the World Cup. Speaking to RevSportz, he explained:
“Rohit Sharma should be the captain of the T20I World Cup. “Virat Kohli is an exceptional player – he should be a part of India’s T20I.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to the Indian T20I for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The series will begin January 11 followed by the second and third games that will be played on the 14th and January 17.
If they participate in the series, it will be the first time they have played T20Is since the semi-final loss against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup.