Sourav Ganguly: Indian Cricket Legend Sounds Off On Test Team Ahead Of Historic England Matchup

Sourav Ganguly faced many a match against England during his tenure as captain of India’s Test team, and now the 41-year-old is sounding off on the team’s selection of a Test squad to face their British rivals this summer.

England and India are set to meet for a Test series in July, and this week India set its roster for the series. The final lineup attracted a bit of attention, as it included Guatam Gambhir, who last played a Test match in 2012.

Though many were surprised to see Virender Sehwag left off the roster, Sourav Ganguly said he believed it was the right choice.

“Not too many surprises in the Test squad but it is good to see Gambhir in the squad. The selectors needed a third opener and with Virender Sehwag not getting big runs in the IPL, they have gone back to Gambhir,” said Ganguly in an interview with GoCricket.com.

But Ganguly added that it is now up to Gambhir to earn playing time against India’s first-choice openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Murli Vijay.

“Gambhir will have to wait for his chance. Shikhar and Vijay have done well as openers but in a five-Test series, the opportunity will come. The weather and wickets will be dodgy and Gambhir’s chance will come,” says Ganguly.

There is a lot on the line in the Test series, which starts July 9. The Test matches will continue through July and into mid-August, with five in total. It will be the first time India has played a five-Test series in England since 1959.

“The length of the series reflects the iconic status which contests between these two great cricketing nations now enjoy,” noted Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier. “We thank the BCCI [Indian board] for their support and also our international venues who between them helped bring a record number of spectators – more than 850,000 – to international cricket over the course of the season when India last toured here in 2011.”

Sourav Ganguly said the length of the t rip could be a challenge for the Indian squad, which he said will need time to get used to the conditions.