Sourav Ganguly Opens Up On What India Should Do After Winning The Toss In World Test Championship Final

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly advised the Indian team to take a look at record books to decide what to do after winning the toss in the ICC World Test Championship final. The BCCI chief suggested that India should opt to bat first if they win the toss. India and New Zealand are set to take on each other in the ICC World Test Championship final from today (June 18). The match will be played at The Rose Bowl cricket Stadium in Southampton, England.

India and New Zealand topped the points table of ICC World Test Championship and qualified for the final. India topped the points table after winning 12 out of 17 matches during the tournament.

The Virat Kohli-led side lost 4 matches while 1 ended in a draw. Kane Williamson-led New Zealand won 7 out of 11 matches and lost 4 and bagged the 2nd spot in the points table. Now, both the teams will collide in the one-final final.

Dig Into Record Books And See India’s Best Overseas Performances: Sourav Ganguly

While speaking to India Today, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said that India should opt to bat first in the match after winning the toss. He also mentioned that India has always won overseas matches when they have batted first.

“If you dig into the record books and see India’s best overseas performances, we have always won matches when we have batted first. It’s about a choice whether you want to face the pressure first up in adverse conditions or wait for the fourth innings,” the BCCI President said.

“Look at Leeds in 2002 or 2018 South Africa, we batted first in bowling friendly conditions, soaked in the initial pressure, put runs on the board and that’s how we won those games. Even Mark Taylor or Steve Waugh’s Australian teams rarely fielded even in seaming conditions. Maybe occasionally when the wicket used to be damp,” he further added.

Opening Is Very Important Aspect, Believes Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly also mentioned that opening is a very important aspect during an away tour and hence, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will have to give their best efforts in the match.

“Opening becomes a very important aspect when you tour abroad. When we toured Australia, England and Pakistan, we played well because we had openers like Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra, who used to play out the new ball and make it old. When your middle-order batsmen come out to bat at 30 for 2 then it becomes really difficult for a side to compete.

“This tour therefore, will be very crucial for openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Not just the WTC Final but also the 5 Tests against England. They will have to play out the new ball and put a price on their wickets,” Sourav Ganguly said.

Indian team is led by Virat Kohli while New Zealand is led by Kane Williamson. The team that wins the one-off final will be the ultimate winner of the ICC World Test Championship. In a case of a draw, both India and New Zealand will be declared joint-winners of the tournament.