Ranchi: While star batsman Virat Kohli’s importance in the Indian side is being highlighted from all corners, former captain Sourav Ganguly believes that the Men in Blue are not over-reliant on their explosive vice-captain, in limited overs cricket.
The five ODI series between India and New Zealand is currently tied at 2-2, after the Black Caps registered a 19-run victory in the 4th match, in Ranchi. Interestingly, it was Kohli who guided India to victories with scores of 85 (not out) and 154 (not out) at Dharamsala and Mohali respectively.
However, Ganguly believes that despite the 27-year-old’s marquee performances, India are not over-reliant on Kohli.
“That's why Virat Kohli is such a great player. Every time he gets a hundred, even in the last game he got 154 not out, India win the game. I don't know what would have happened if Ross Taylor would have taken that catch,” Ganguly was quoted as saying in India Today.
“India 60/3 in Mohali with new batsman in and anything could have happened. But I think there are other match winners in the side who have won India games.”
India captain MS Dhoni’s decision to promote himself up the order to No 4 has been a huge topic of discussion during this series. When asked about this, Ganguly believes that Dhoni is struggling at the no 4 position.
“MS at No. 4, he got stuck on a poor surface. He struggles against left-arm spinners on turning pitches. When the ball goes away from him, he finds it difficult to rotate strike. If you look at the strike rate, it's different for MS Dhoni,” said Ganguly.
“One thing India have to understand that when you have young players in the side with the likes of Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey you have to play on good surfaces. India are a much stronger side on good surfaces than on turning pitches.”
