Sourav Ganguly bats for more game time for Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul

12/12/2017

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Sourav Ganguly feels that KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane should be given more matches in the middle order for India so as to build a team for the 2019 World Cup. The CAB President has also stated that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have to play out the initial phase in Mohali for India to succeed.

After being reduced to a paltry score of 29 for 7, India were in danger of being reduced to an all-time low ODI total, but they managed to avoid the embarrassment thanks to MS Dhoni's fighting knock of 65 runs that took the total to 112. The ignominious batting display made the experts question Rahane’s exclusion from the playing XI. Similarly, KL Rahul’s string of failure also resulted in him losing the place on the side. But Ganguly is not happy about the same and asked the management to give the duo sufficient match-time.

“You see whatever happened in Dharamsala was an aberration and we all know the capability of these batsmen. What is worrying me though, is, are India playing the best team? I know it will seam in Mohali too -- since it’s an 11.30am start -- and India must play Ajinkya Rahane at No.3. He should have played in Dharamsala too because he has the ability to play in such conditions. So, I am a little curious to know why he didn’t play,” Hindustan Times quoted Ganguly as saying.

“There isn’t much difference in the jobs of Nos. 1-3 in ODIs. So, going by the conditions in Dharamsala and Mohali, it is imperative Rahane plays at No.3. In fact, to my mind, both Rahane and KL Rahul (not in the squad) should be playing more and more ODIs. When Virat comes back at No.3, there will still be slots at Nos.4 and 5 (with Dhoni at No.6) and if you are looking at the World Cup 2019, I would want the selectors and team management to back Rahane and Rahul. They have proved themselves in the past and I think they will make the middle-order more productive.”

India’s batting order fell like a pack up of cards and apart from the quality bowling, the torrid display can be attributed to the Indian top-oeder's inability to see off the new ball. With moisture being high in the northern part of India, the duo needs to play out the phase tomorrow and Ganguly also suggested the same.

“An early start in Mohali would mean the ball will swing and seam with all the moisture around and with two new balls being used from either end, Rohit and Shikhar have to play out the phase. Once settled, batsmen will enjoy hitting through the line on the Mohali wicket,” Ganguly said.

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