Former captain Sourav Ganguly believes India’s talented batting unit had golden opportunity to chase down target on Day 5 vs England at Lord’s to go 2-1 up in series
India’s Rishabh Pant is clean bowled by England’s Jofra Archer on Day Five of the third Test at Lord’s on Monday. Pic/PTI
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said that he was disappointed to see Shubman Gill & Co lose the third Test to England at Lord’s by just 22 runs, but was convinced that Team India’s batters will be even more sad given they could not get 193 despite batting brilliantly so far in
the series.
Ravindra Jadeja’s 72 in the first innings and a fighting 61 not out in the second went in vain as India were bowled out for 170 on Day 5 of the third Test on Monday, and England took a 2-1 lead in the five-match affair.
Sourav Ganguly
“I’m a bit disappointed because the way they [India] have batted in this series so far, they could have got that 190 [193]. And particularly with Jadeja’s gutsy fight [on Day 5]. The batting quality of this team is absolutely brilliant. I’m sure they will be more disappointed than I am because given the quality of batsmanship they have in the dressing room, this was an opportunity to go 2-1 up in the series,” Ganguly said on the sidelines of an India Racing League (IRL) press conference to announce the line-ups for the 2025 season through a draft featuring 24 drivers.
It is not known whether or not India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will play the fourth Test, starting at Manchester on July 23, given his workload management, but Ganguly felt that the nine-day gap could be beneficial. “He [Bumrah] is a special bowler, no doubt, but it all depends on his body. The next two Tests are very important for India, but we have nine days, which is a lot of time and hopefully, he’ll be fit,” added Ganguly, who is the owner of the Kolkata Royal Tigers racing team in the six-team IRL.
Finally, Ganguly heaped praise on new skipper Gill. “He [Gill] is a young captain, only three Tests old and has done phenomenally as a batsman. Nobody comes as a complete captain. He did well in Birmingham, he’ll get better. He just needs time,” Ganguly concluded.
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