IPL 2019 | Sourav Ganguly advises Shikhar Dhawan to play attacking cricket
Sourav Ganguly has stated that Shikhar Dhawan should start in an aggressive manner and shouldn’t be buoyed down by any pressure. Ganguly has also added that Andre Russell is definitely in great form for Kolkata Knight Riders, but in a format like T20, a good form is no certainty.
Coming straight from a drought in form with the national team, Shikhar Dhawan tried to assert himself by playing careful cricket. Even though he was successful in scoring 51 and 43 in two matches, he was very cautious, which cost Delhi Capitals their start and eventually resulted in the Capitals losing to Mumbai Indians in their opening encounter. Sourav Ganguly understood the southpaw’s mental barrier and after the nets, he advised him to start in his normal way.
"It wasn't a struggle in the last few games. He just played differently and will play differently against Kolkata. I had a chat with him after the nets and just asked him to take it like a normal T20 game and play attacking cricket," Ganguly was quoted as saying by Times of India.
In the second game of the day, Delhi will take on Kolkata Knight Riders, the franchise Ganguly had been an active part in his capacity of the president of Cricket Association of Bengal. It was not the first such instance even, as the entire Bengal boycotted KKR when the franchise cut ties with Ganguly after the first couple of seasons. On being asked if such thoughts would strike his head when the Capitals will take on Knight Riders today, the former India skipper didn’t want to revisit the old time.
"That is way too far. My focus is on the job at hand and I am hoping that we go out tomorrow and play good cricket," the former India captain said.
Russell played a couple of innings at the Eden this year that was clean hitting of a different level. A 19-ball 48 was followed by a 17-ball 47 and even if you decide to discount his bowling and fielding, which was undoubtedly the best in the team, Russell would still come at the top of the pile. Ganguly, however, stated that cricket is a game of uncertainties and Delhi bowlers can have a good day against him.
"He is definitely in very good form. But cricket is a game of uncertainties and anyone of our bowlers can have a good game against him. So, let's wait and watch," Ganguly said.
Comments
Leave a comment0 Comments