Australia vs India 2018: Sourav Ganguly Optimistic of India's Success

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is optimistic of India’s success on the upcoming tour of Australia. Ganguly feels India will savor success on the Australia soil. India had lost the four-match Test series by 2-0 when they had toured Down Under in 2014 as two matches ended in a draw. However, India’s record in Australia is not promising at all. The Indian team has never won a Test series on the Australian soil.

In fact, the best result they have had in Australia is a drawn Test series. However, Australia is going to be without the services of their talisman batsman Steven Smith and David Warner. Thus, it is going to be a big void for the hosts and India is expected to hold the advantage baton. Smith was the leading run-getter in the previous series in Australia. However, India will need to be wary of Australia’s pace attack.

Perfect chance to win in Australia.

Meanwhile, India’s captain Virat Kohli turned 30 years old yesterday. Thus, Ganguly gave his best wishes to current Indian skipper.

“The 30-year mark is the best time for batsman for batting, but in past four-five years the way Virat Kohli played, it will be a challenge for him to better his records. I wish him a happy birthday; may this year be good for him, he lives his life well. Indian cricket will move forward on Kohli’s shoulders. I understand and believe that this time Virat Kohli and company will beat Australia at their home, which is very important for India,” Ganguly told IndiaTV during the show Cricket Ki Baat.

Meanwhile, India was able to win the first T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. However, India’s batting was not up to the mark in the first match. Thus, Ganguly expects a better show from the hosts.

“It was an easy target for India, it would have been difficult if 150-160 was the target, tomorrow we will have a match in Lucknow where the wicket and the condition will be different, and we will see a new improved Indian team there,” Sourav Ganguly said.

Ganguly has a advice for Shikhar Dhawan.

Shikhar Dhawan’s current form could be a worrying sign for India. The southpaw was beautifully set up by Oshane Thomas who followed his short ball by a good length delivery. Sourav Ganguly has a advice for Dhawan as he said the left-hander should attack the short balls while he should try to defend the fuller balls.

“Genuine fast bowling is everyone’s weakness, but players find ways to play it. And I think when Dhawan faced Oshane Thomas, he tried to play shots on both: front foot and back foot. In the first T20I, Thomas first bowled the short ball then a full-length delivery on which he was beaten by the swing. Dhawan must analyze it that he must score runs on the back foot against Thomas while defending the fuller deliveries. This must be his mindset.”

India will begin their Australia tour with the first T20I on November 21.