Sourav Ganguly refuses to pick a favorite for ODI series

02/01/2018

Sourav Ganguly has stated that both India and South Africa have a 50% chance of winning the ODI series stating that the loss of AB de Villiers is a big advantage. While talking about the U-19's World Cup performance, Ganguly also predicted that India would be the best in the world in five years.

After losing the first two Test of the three-match Test series, India were under threat of suffering a whitewash from the hosts but they managed to win the third game which helped them in ending the series on 1-2. The Men in Blue will start their campaign in the 50-over format in Durban on February 1 and Ganguly believes that the win in the last Test and the absence of de Villiers due to injury will help the side begin their six-match ODI series assignment on a positive note.

“It’s going to be a 50-50 after India’s Johannesburg Test win. It won’t be easy in South African conditions. To our advantage, there’s no AB de Villiers, a huge name in South African cricket. If Virat Kohli can make runs definitely India have a very good chance,” Ganguly said as quoted by PTI.

Along with the senior team, the juniors are also working showcasing U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. In their last game, the team thrashed Pakistan by 203 runs in the semi-final. Many young players utilized the stage to display their talent, for instance, Prithvi Shaw impressed with his leadership quality and Shubman Gill emerges as a match winner and Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi grabbed the attention with the help of their pace attack. Ganguly picked the Indian side as a favorite to lift the U-19 World Cup title for the fourth time and for that the team has to beat Australia in the final.

“India (will win U-19 World Cup). U-19 team is playing very well. There are immensely talented boys like Prithwi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Ishan Porel are players who have come up from the BCCI system. Our Board members have invested time to prepare them from the junior, under-19 and senior level.

“You can’t make players without structure. They are a product of our system. In the next five years, barring Australia and England, Indian cricket will be the best in the world,” Ganguly added.

In the win against Pakistan, apart from Gill, it was Porel who helped the Indian side to warp the Pakistan innings at just 69 runs as he conceded 17 runs while bagging four wickets. Ganguly reserved special praise for the Bengal’s 19-year-old player.

“Ishan Porel is a product of CAB’s Vision 20-20 programme. U-19 is just the beginning, the stepping stone of one’s career. He has a long way to go. Porel stays in Bali. We from CAB will provide him with all help.”

Sourav Ganguly refuses to pick a favorite for ODI series

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