Former India captain Sourav Ganguly shared his thoughts on the upcoming India vs. Pakistan encounter in the Asia Cup tournament which begins on August 30. The two arch-rivals will clash on September 2nd in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
While the Indian team is currently prepping for the tournament with a camp in Bengaluru, Babar Azam and co. are embroiled in a three-ODI series in Sri Lanka against Afghanistan.
As the acceptance of the huge clash between India and Pakistan intensifies, ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly expressed the complexity of determining a favorite in the Asia Cup. He emphasized the level playing field, suggesting that any team has a fair shot at victory.
"Telling favorite is difficult in the Asia Cup. Anyone can win. Both the teams are good. Pakistan is also a good side. India is obviously a good team," Ganguly told India Today.
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Ganguly was praiseful of Jasprit Bumrah’s performance in the recent Ireland series which was his comeback to international cricket after 11 months.
"Bumrah has done well in Ireland. He had played T20. Now have to play an ODI. Have to bowl 10 overs in a match. So let's see," Ganguly added.
BCCI announced India's 17-man squad for the Asia Cup and Yuzvendra Chahal was a significant absentee as Akshar Patel got the nod ahead of the leg-spinner, showcasing the selectors' trust in his abilities.
Ganguly supported his inclusion given that he helps lengthen India’s batting as well and rationalized the choice within the context of needing only three spinners.
"It's ok. You have to play only with three spinners. I think they had done the right thing by picking up Axar Patel as he can bat," Ganguly further said.
