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Sourav Ganguly requests Gautam Gambhir to back Mohammed Shami and focus on good tracks for India, highlighting the need for balanced wickets.
India captain Shubman Gill (R) with head coach Gautam Gambhir (L) ahead of 1st Test at Edan Gardens (BCCI Photo)
Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly has said that he is very fond of Gautam Gambhir and he would definitely continue his role of head coach for a while, but he will have to play on good pitches in India, adding that it’s time that Mohammed Shami is included in the team.
The star Indian pacer was overlooked for the home series despite a stellar Ranji Trophy campaign, where he claimed 15 wickets in his first three games. Shami last played a Test for India in the World Test Championship final two years ago.
On Sunday as well, Shami was in action for Bengal against Assam and at the end of the day’s play, his figures read 22-4-62-2.
“I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well in the 2011 and T20 World Cups. He will continue for a while, but he must play on good pitches in India. He must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami,” Ganguly said while speaking to Sports Tak.
“I think Shami deserves a place in this Test team. Shami and the spinners will win Tests for him,” Ganguly added.
Also speaking to NDTV, the former Indian cricketer emphasised that India should minimise the pitch factor and focus on enabling their batters to post 350-plus totals, a strategy that paid off during the England tour, where Shubman Gill’s team bagged a memorable 2-2 draw in the five-Test series.
Ganguly stressed that India should play on fair, balanced pitches and push for full five-day results, rather than seeing games end within three days.
“Play on good wickets. I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening. He needs to take the wicket out of the game. Because if his batters aren’t putting up 350–400, he will not win Tests,” Ganguly said.
“That is the reason they won in England, because their batters put runs up on the board. He must play on good wickets. And trust his people. And win Tests in 5 days. Not in 3 days,” Ganguly added.
November 16, 2025, 20:29 IST
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