Ganguly believes spinners Swann, Panesar have the ability to turn it on, but they need batters' support
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly rated Alastair Cook’s England team as one of the best sides to tour India in recent years. Reason: They have two quality spinners in Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.
Sourav Ganguly (left), Alastair Cook and Graeme Swann (right) during a promotional event at a city hotel yesterday. PIC/Getty Images
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“If a visiting side has to win in the sub-continent, they need to have good spinners as the wickets here suit spin bowling more than pace,” Ganguly saidu00a0during a promotional event at u00a0a city hotel yesterday.
“This England side has two very good spinners in Swanny and Panesar so I am expecting a close contest in the four-Test series. But their batsmen have to get enough runs on the board to give their bowlers a chance to win,” he said.
According to the Bengal southpaw, spinners will play an important role particularly in the Mumbai and Kolkata Tests. “In Mumbai and Kolkata, the wickets will be slow turners and so the spinners will hold the key. I hope England will put up a good fight in both these centres,” Ganguly stated.
Regarding Team India’s composition, the prince of Kolkata felt Yuvraj Singh might get a look-in going by his recent good show. “There is only one place up for grabs and that is the No 6 slot. There are three contenders — Yuvraj, Suresh Raina and Manoj Tiwary — and now it’s the selectors’ call to pick one of them.
Though Yuvraj doesn’t have a great record in the longer version, he might get a look-in following his good show in Duleep Trophy and the last tour game,” he said.u00a0Ganguly, however, ruled out the possibility of India winning 4-0. “It’s not that easy,” he signed off.
Big task
Meanwhile, Swann said: “India is always a dangerous side at home. Beating India in India is a big task, but we are up for it. I need to take the onus since the pitches here assist spinners more than the pacers.” u00a0
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