Ganguly Backs Shami’s Test Return After India’s Kolkata Defeat.
India are likely to hand Mohammed Shami a Test comeback after the 30-run loss to South Africa in Kolkata — a result that gave the Proteas their first win in India in 15 years.
Shami last played a Test in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Since then, he has been left out of tours to England and the West Indies, as well as the home series against South Africa. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had cited lack of match time and fitness concerns for his exclusion.
But the 34-year-old has pushed his case strongly on the domestic circuit this season, grabbing 17 wickets in four matches at an average of 17.35. Speaking to Sports Tak, former India captain Sourav Ganguly urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to trust his leading pacers and bring Shami back into the fold.
“I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well in the 2011 and T20 World Cups. He will continue for a while, but he must play on good pitches in India. He must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj and Shami,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly added that Shami “deserves a place” in the Test side, insisting that the senior pacer along with India’s spinners “will win Tests” for Gambhir.
‘Play on Good Wickets’
Ganguly also advised the team management to focus on better surfaces and longer games instead of seeking quick finishes. “Play on good wickets. I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening. He needs to take the wicket out of the game. If his batters aren’t putting up 350–400, he will not win Tests,” Ganguly said.
“That’s the reason they won in England — the batters put runs on the board. He must trust his players and try to win Tests in five days, not in three.” India will now take on South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati from November 22.
Comments are closed.