Published: Oct 18, 2014, 02:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 18, 2014, 05:28 PM (IST)
Oct 18, 2014
Former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly spoke at the ‘Salaam Cricket’ summit organised by news channel ‘Aaj Tak’, on India’s star batsman, Virat Kohli‘s chances at the World Cup set to get underway Down Under earlier next year. He said that Kohli is no doubt an excellent player and was futile to comment on his form for just one bad tour. “He has been an excellent player. It has been one bad tour, but he has scored 20 ODI hundreds, has scored hundreds across the World, and is one of the best ODI players in the World. If he does well India will do an excellent job,” he said.
On being asked about the death bowling worries and the bowlers, he said, “See, these are inexperienced bowlers. The fielding rules have also changed, which has made things difficult. Barring Malinga there is no bowler in the world who can bowl yorkers consistently.”
“Having said that, our strength lies in batting, and if India has to win the World Cup the batsmen need to deliver. he added.
Ganguly also spoke on the new spinner, Akshar Patel. “I think playing Akshar has been a good move. Not only has he been a quality bowler, he can also provide some runs at 7/8,” he said.
The conclave – named ‘Kaise Jeetenge World Cup’ – is attended by the likes of , Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Imran Khan, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Arjuna Ranatunga, who are among the captains who led their teams to World Cup wins. Among the other skippers will be Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, Ajay Jadeja, Mohammad Azharuddin, Bishan Singh Bedi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Aamer Sohail. Indian cricketers, who were also a part of their last World Cup winning campaign back in 2011, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, and Ashish Nehra will also be a part of the function.
