India needs time to arrive at the right team combination: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly

Pleased with the performance of the Indian cricket team in the just concluded bilateral series against England, which MS Dhoni’s men won 3-1, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has said that the team needs some time to arrive at the right combination for the World Cup 2015.

Rohit Sharma or Ajinkya Rahane – who should open?

With Ajinkya Rahane showcasing his potential as an opener, Ganguly, when asked about who should open the innings out of Rohit Sharma and Rahane, said: "I think we should give it a bit more time. Let us not be too eager to say okay this should be the batting order after just a few matches. They have five matches against West Indies at home and then they have a big tri-series coming up in Australia, also involving England.

"They are experimenting and looking at different combinations, and they will eventually find out who is the right man to open the innings for them in the World Cup."

Bowling was outstanding

The 42-year-old lavished praises on Indian bowlers, especially the death bowling skills of Mohammed Shami. He said: "I thought there were good signs about India's bowling. Mohammad Shami bowled really well in this series.”

He added: "Bowling in the death-overs is something they will have to get better at and it is tough because almost every bowler gets hit in the death-overs nowadays. But let us not be too judgmental. India were outstanding with the ball in this series."

Need time to evaluate Ravi Shastri’s impact

Ganguly, though, doesn’t think that the appointment of Ravi Shastri as the team director was the sole reason behind the turnaround after the disappointing show in the Test series, which they lost 1-3. He said: "Looking from the outside, it is very tough to judge what's happening in the dressing room. Is it possible for someone to come in like this and make such a big difference or impact immediately? I don't know."

To understand his impact, Ganguly thinks, Shastri needs to stay with the team a little longer. "And then there are other considerations as well. If we have to judge Ravi Shastri in this new role then he has to be given a bit more time. He has to stay in this position for a bit longer.”