Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes India might have been in a stronger position if skipper Rohit Sharma had opted to bat first in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Australia finished the day with an impressive 327/3. Sourav Ganguly summed up the day’s game at Star Sports and shared his insights.
“India could have been in a stronger position had Australia won the toss and chosen to bat first. The pitch conditions seemed more favorable for batting on the opening day,” – said Sourav Ganguly.
Toss and its impact
To the surprise of many, India skipper Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first. Sourav Ganguly, analyzing the decision on Star Sports, speculates that even if Australian captain Pat Cummins had won the toss, he too would have chosen to bowl first. Ganguly suggests that this decision would have placed India in a challenging position.
Ganguly speculation is based on the assumption that the pitch conditions at the start of the match were favorable for bowling. In such conditions, it is not uncommon for teams to restrict the opposition to a limited score while taking quick wickets. Ganguly points out that scoring 300 runs and losing only two wickets in the first session is not an uncommon occurrence in Test matches.
By choosing to bowl first, Rohit Sharma took a calculated risk, hoping to capitalize on any early assistance the pitch might offer to the bowlers. However, as the day progressed, Australia’s batsmen demonstrated skill and resilience, accumulating a substantial score of 327/3 by the end of the day’s play.
It is important to remember that cricket is a dynamic game, and the outcome of a match depends on various factors, including pitch conditions, weather, player performances, and strategy. Ganguly speculation offers an alternative perspective on the decision to bowl first. Ultimately, the match will unfold over multiple days, and the true impact of the decision will be determined by the performances and strategies of both teams throughout the duration of the game.
Australia’s dominant performance
Ganguly praised the exceptional performances of Australian batsmen Steve Smith and Travis Head for their team’s dominance. Smith showed mastery of the swing and hemming conditions and played a key role in stabilizing the innings. Head, on the other hand, played aggressively and displayed a positive attitude in all conditions.
Great shot from Travis Head
Travis Head’s unbeaten batting of 146 runs and 156 throws was the pinnacle of Australia’s batting performance. His innings included an impressive 22 4th and 1 6th while attacking the Indian bowlers relentlessly. Ganguly acknowledged that the Indian bowler let the head run away with a billa, but still praised the Australian batsman’s outstanding performance.
Indian Bowling Challenge
Ganguly conceded that the Indian bowler’s performance was below expectations and that Travis Head was able to free run early in the inning. Still, he appreciates Head and Smith’s ability to handle pressure and take advantage of favorable hitting conditions. Ganguly points out that such days are not uncommon in England and that the arrival of the sun can change pitch conditions significantly. Diploma
Verdict
India seemed to have taken advantage by sacking Marnus Labuschagne early in the second session, but failed to make the breakthrough. Sourav Ganguly believes India might have been in a stronger position had Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl. But Steve Smith and Travis Head deserve accolades for their exceptional performances that put Australia in the lead at the end of day one of the WTC Finals.
All in all, the first day of the WTC Finals showed the importance of throwing and its effect on the fate of teams. The match between the two teams will be fiercely contested and is expected to become an exciting battle as it progresses.
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