SA vs IND 2018: Sourav Ganguly Warns Virat Kohli Ahead of the Centurion Test

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels Ajinkya Rahane’s past performance should have been considered before picking the team in the first Test. Notably, Ajinkya Rahane got omitted from the squad that lost to South Africa by 72 runs.

Speculations rose high after Rahane got dropped from the first XI. However, Rahane has been India’s highest scorer in overseas tours over the past few years.

Ganguly stated the team management shouldn’t have overlooked the performances of KL Rahul and Rahane on testing conditions.

“The history of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in overseas conditions is not very good. Their record is basically chalk and cheese when it comes to overseas Tests. It is fine to go by current form, but they should not have overlooked the performances of KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane in overseas conditions in the past few years,” Ganguly said to India Today.

Ganguly’s comments came soon after Virat Kohli backed Rohit Sharma’s inclusion citing that they went by recent performances. Rohit scored a century and two half-centuries in the three-Test series against Sri Lanka at home, which India won 1-0.

When it comes to the tough condition, opener Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit have struggled to score runs. Dhawan had registered just one century outside the Indian subcontinent while the Mumbai batsman averages a mere 25.11 in the 15 Tests he had played outside India.

While KL Rahul had scored three of his four centuries outside India and Rahane has been a standout performer scoring six hundred and nine fifties outside India.

Talking about the changes ahead of the second Test, Ganguly feels Rahane should be included in the squad.

“Virat (Kohli) has shown a lot of trust in Rohit and Shikhar. It seems highly unlikely that they will not be given a second chance. But, the top order and middle order failed to perform in the first Test, and Rahane will be a valuable addition to the line-up,” Ganguly added.

South Africa bowled superbly despite missing Dale Steyn in the second innings. However, Ganguly admits the absence of Steyn will be a blessing disguise for the host.

“I think that Steyn’s injury is a blessing in disguise for South Africa. With (Chris) Morris coming in, they will have more strength in batting, and that will help them in the series,” Ganguly concluded.

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