Sourav Ganguly warns KL: If you don’t score runs in India, there will be criticism. Especially when former cricketers have set high standards.
Lokesh due to Prolonged Poor Performance:-
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says it will be difficult for Lokesh Rahul to avoid scathing criticism due to his prolonged string of poor performances given the huge expectations attached to his job.
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Rahul, who was removed from the vice-captaincy, could not even cross the 25-run mark in his last 10 Test innings (KL Rahul Last 10 Innings).
In an exclusive interview with PTI on the sidelines of Delhi Capitals’ IPL pre-season camp, Ganguly said, “When you don’t score runs in India, you will definitely be criticized.
Ganguly, who played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs for India, said, “There is a lot of pressure on the players and a lot of attention is paid to them.
The team management feels that he is an important player for the team. In the end what matters is what the coach and the captain think.”
Expect more from a talented player like rahul:-
Rahul has played some fine innings in England and Australia but Ganguly said it is clear that people expect more from a talented player like Rahul who has scored just five Test hundreds in nine years.
“He has performed but obviously you expect a lot more from a top-order batsman playing for India because the standards set by others are very high,” he said.
Ganguly said, “When you fail for some time, of course there will be criticism. I am sure Rahul has the potential and I am sure he will find ways to score runs when he gets more opportunities.”
Is Rahul’s problem technical or mental? When asked, Ganguly said, “Both.” Along with getting out against the spinners as well.
Steve Smith is a Great Player:-
Ganguly said, “Steve Smith is a great player. David Warner hasn’t found his rhythm, Marnus Labushen is a good player but these are difficult conditions for him too.
The former Indian captain said, “The mistake we make with Australian teams is that we think they are Steve Waugh’s Australian team but they are not. Different players have different tests in different situations.
One of the toughest challenges for Ganguly, the Director of Cricket of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, is to fill in for Rishabh Pant who has been unavailable after recently suffering a horrific accident and undergoing surgery.
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Ganguly said, “I spoke to him many times. He is obviously going through a tough time after injuries and surgeries and I wish him well. In a year or a few years, maybe he will play for India again.”
