Lack of warm-up match cost India dearly: Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly defended Gambhir and said: "Gautam is a class player and he will definitely make a comeback. You have to understand that there is always a start."

Ganguly, who scored a fighting half century in Johannesburg in India's only Test victory in South Africa in the 2006-07 series, felt that the conditions became difficult for the Indians as they didn't get much time to acclimatise.

"It was an important toss to lose if you take the conditions under consideration. The pitch was a bit damp after rain and it was difficult conditions for batting," Ganguly said.

Ganguly said Indians will now have to get their act right quickly, to make a comeback in the match.

"In this Test match they already have their backs to the wall. So the quicker they can apply themselves and make comeback, it's better for the team.

"After Centurion, they would be next playing in Durban which is another fast deck," he said.

Asked if pace spearhead Zaheer Khan's absence has cost the team, Ganguly said: "Zaheer is only a human. He will get injured. But if someone gets injured, it gives an opportunity to another player.

"Even if Zaheer had played this match, Ishant and Sreesanth needed to bowl well from the other end. Tomorrow, Harbhajan might also get injured. Then one would expect R Ashwin to do well."

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