Sports
Sourav Ganguly bats for Rohit as Test opener
New Delhi, Sep 5
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has once again backed Rohit Sharma for the Test opener's role and feels that the batsman deserved an opportunity in the longest format of the game.
Ahead of the India and West Indies series, Ganguly had opined Rohit should be tried for the opening slot. However, he was left out for both the games. Ganguly also said K.L. Rahul's poor form can push the team management to try out Rohit as the opener with Mayank Agarwal.
Rohit had a great run in the recently conclued World Cup 2019, where he slammed five hundreds.
"I had suggested earlier about trying Rohit Sharma as an opener in Test cricket and I still believe that he needs to be given an opportunity because he is too good a player to be left out in the cold," Ganguly wrote in his column for The Times of India.
"After a fantastic World Cup, I believe he will be itching to grab the opportunity to open in Tests. With Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari settling in nicely, there is not much left to play around in the middle-order," the former captain added.
Ganguly also felt fixing the problem with the opening slot is the need of the hour for India in longest format of the game.
"The opening still remains an area to work on. Mayank Agarwal looks good but will need a few more opportunities. His partner KL Rahul, though, has flattered to deceive and that creates an opening at the top," Ganguly opined.
Speaking on the poor show by Jason Holder-led West Indes side in the series, where they were whitewashed 0-2, Ganguly said the hosts lacked application.
"As has been clearly evident in every form of the contest, West Indies have the talent but in terms of application, the they are a long way off. How they manage to resurrect themselves from here on will define the future of West Indies cricket," the former left-handed batsman wrote.
Ahead of the India and West Indies series, Ganguly had opined Rohit should be tried for the opening slot. However, he was left out for both the games. Ganguly also said K.L. Rahul's poor form can push the team management to try out Rohit as the opener with Mayank Agarwal.
Rohit had a great run in the recently conclued World Cup 2019, where he slammed five hundreds.
"I had suggested earlier about trying Rohit Sharma as an opener in Test cricket and I still believe that he needs to be given an opportunity because he is too good a player to be left out in the cold," Ganguly wrote in his column for The Times of India.
"After a fantastic World Cup, I believe he will be itching to grab the opportunity to open in Tests. With Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari settling in nicely, there is not much left to play around in the middle-order," the former captain added.
Ganguly also felt fixing the problem with the opening slot is the need of the hour for India in longest format of the game.
"The opening still remains an area to work on. Mayank Agarwal looks good but will need a few more opportunities. His partner KL Rahul, though, has flattered to deceive and that creates an opening at the top," Ganguly opined.
Speaking on the poor show by Jason Holder-led West Indes side in the series, where they were whitewashed 0-2, Ganguly said the hosts lacked application.
"As has been clearly evident in every form of the contest, West Indies have the talent but in terms of application, the they are a long way off. How they manage to resurrect themselves from here on will define the future of West Indies cricket," the former left-handed batsman wrote.

2 hours ago
Two sisters, one recipe; from grandmother’s culinary craft to a ₹10-crore brand.

2 hours ago
Rebel Foods achieves ₹1,000 crore in sales through the cloud kitchen model.

2 hours ago
"Prepare to be deported": Rubio Says visa revocations underway for foreigners celebrating Kirk's death

3 hours ago
Trump warns Europe to 'stop buying oil from Russia', asks Zelenskyy 'have to make a deal'

3 hours ago
Realism and caution must be adopted in efforts to add momentum to warming India-China ties: Report

3 hours ago
PM Modi, Denmark counterpart Frederiksen vow to strengthen Green Strategic Partnership

5 hours ago
South Korea confirms plan for OPCON transfer from US within Lee's 5-year term

5 hours ago
Khalistani elements raise funds under guise of charity, use it for extremist causes: Report

5 hours ago
‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ star Robert Redford passes at the age of 89

7 hours ago
'Most degenerate newspaper': Trump slaps $15 billion defamation suit on New York Times

7 hours ago
US to begin applying tariff on Japanese automakers, Korean cars subject to 25 pc levy

10 hours ago
A Vibrant Tapestry of Joy: Bloomington’s Festival of Joy 2025 Unites Hearts in Celebration

10 hours ago
Zeenat Aman: I never found myself to be beautiful