Batsman key to India’s chances in the England Test series, says Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday said that batsmen will hold key to the nation’s chances against England in the upcoming five-match Test series.

“You have to score 400 runs in an innings in Test cricket in order to be competitive. If they get 400 runs in the first innings, they will win,” Ganguly told reporters outside the Eden Gardens.

India quite comfortably won the T20 series but were thoroughly outplayed in the ODI series. England though have failed to win any of their last three series meaning the number one-ranked India would fancy their chances.

The fifth-ranked England side have won just one match in their last three-Test series.

“India will have a chance. They are a good side, if they bat well, they will do well in England. They can win the Test series. India have got a big chance of winning,” said the left-handed batsman.

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Ganguly also hoped that World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni who was in the wrong side of big criticisms for his poor form and snail-paced innings in the second and third ODIs against England – which India lost – will soon return to form.

India next play the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 46-year-old Ganguly believes that Dhoni whose retirement has been doing the rounds in social media, will be back amongst the runs.

“I am sure he will get back to scoring runs. Whatever he does, it’s his decision,” he said.

Meanwhile, India will miss the services of fast bowlers Bhuvneshwar and Jasprit Bumrah and wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, all of whom have been ruled out with injuries. While the first two are expected to return into the squad before the second Test, Saha will have no participation in the series.

I don’t know what happened. I hope he recovers in time,” Ganguly said talking of the wicket-keeper’s injury.

Saha will undergo surgery on his right shoulder in Manchester at the end of this month or starting of August.

The 1st Test begins on August 1 and will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.