Legendary India captain Sourav Ganguly has opened up on India's disappointing performance with the bat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ganguly feels that batsmen need to score big runs if India wants to win Test matches.
The former India captain also spoke about Virat Kohli's disappointing return with the bat in the Test series against Australia. Kohli's similar dismissal style throughout the series raised questions about his ability to play red-ball cricket in the future.
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Sourav Ganguly breaks silence on India's poor batting performance
While speaking to India Today, Sourav Ganguly revealed the reason behind India's poor performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He blamed the team's batsmen for their inability to score big runs throughout the series.
“We didn't bat well, we have to bat well in Test cricket. If you don't bat well, you won't win Test matches. If you score 170-180, you can't win Test matches. You have to score 350-400. Can't blame Everyone has to score goals,” Ganguly said.
India crossed the 350-run mark only twice in the entire series. Both results came in somewhat better batting conditions, once in Perth and the other in Melbourne. In the last Test in Sydney, the batsmen struggled to counter the swing and seam and India were bowled out for below-par scores in both innings.
Sourav Ganguly talks about Virat Kohli's poor career
Sourav Ganguly also spoke about Virat Kohli's disappointing return with the bat in the series. The former India skipper wasn't too sure about Kohli's concerns but backed him to overcome them soon.
“I don't understand. He (Virat Kohli) is a great player. But I am sure he will overcome this problem,” Ganguly added.
Virat Kohli scored a hundred in the first Test in Perth but his numbers declined dramatically in the next four Tests. Overall, he scored 190 runs in five Tests at an average of just 23.75.
More than his form, the way he was sacked was a big problem. He was dismissed to balls outside the off-stump on all eight occasions in the series. The situation of repeated dismissals raises questions about Kohli's future in the longest format of the game.
With India's Test match coming up in June during the tour of England, it will be interesting to see if Virat Kohli will be able to pull it off. The 36-year-old has struggled in English conditions throughout his career.
Australia reaches the World Trade Championship final for the second time in a row
Meanwhile, Australia clinched the series 3-1 and reached their second successive World Test Championship final. They are also the defending World Trade Center champions, having defeated India in the final on the previous occasion. Australia will now face South Africa in the World Trade Center final in June. The match will be held at Lord's Stadium in London.
It was also the first time that India was unable to reach the WTC finals. The Men in Blue reached the finals on the first two occasions, but lost to New Zealand and Australia in the summit clash respectively.
