While England’s victory at Rose Bowl might have been the turning point in the series for many, former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly believes that India can still bounce back.
The aggressive left-hander, who has over 19,000 international runs, backed India return to winning ways in the series in his column for Indian English daily, The New Indian Express.
In the column, Ganguly spoke about the importance of putting runs on the board in the first innings as both the sides who managed to do that so far have gone on to win the match.
“There is no word called momentum in cricket. I have never believed in that and it was again proved in Southampton that it is about that day and a particular match. India won the Lord’s Test but England dominated every session in the next match,” he wrote.
“MS Dhoni batted first and Alastair Cook batted first in the second and third Tests respectively under tough conditions. Those criticizing India should know that it will not take long for an India turn around.
“Indians will know that this is not the same England of 2011 and is a very much beatable side."
He also spoke about India’s batting woes and the need for them to return to form immediately, first of all by attacking the bowling of Moeen Ali.
“India’s strength is batting and it is time for three of their top four to fire,” said ganguly.
“I was not at all happy with the way they played [Moeen Ali]. As much as he has improved from Trent Bridge, it is time the India batsmen attacked him more."
Amidst all of the criticism aimed at him, Ganguly applauded English skipper Alastair Cook’s approach to the game and how he handled himself at Southampton.
“I really liked the way he spoke to Mihael Atherton at Lord’s where he said he was determined to turn it around instead of reeling under pressure. And I must say, it was a much determined effort,” said Ganguly, who found himself in a similar situation during the Greg Chappell era of India cricket.
