Bring back Kuldeep and Chahal, Ganguly tells Kohli
Chahal and Kuldeep weren't at their best during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, and while each played a match in the three-match ODI series in the Caribbean last month, they underwhelmed there as well.
They have since been rested, first for the T20Is against West Indies and then against South Africa, with the selectors opting to try out finger spinners. However, Ganguly expressed hope that the exclusion of Chahal and Kuldeep was just temporary, and said it was important both players play a part in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020.
The Indian leg-spinner has been recognised for his incredible haul of 6/25 against England in Bengaluru.
Both have been exceptional for India over the last few years, particularly in T20Is. In his 18 matches, Kuldeep has picked up 35 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.72, and while Chahal is a tad more expensive with an economy of 8, he has 46 wickets in just 31 matches.
"This is a good team but Virat needs to bring back the wrist spinners into this format," Ganguly wrote in his column for Times of India. "I hope Yuzvendra Chahal has only been rested to give opportunity to others, or else he is a must for India in the T20 format.
"India doesn't need two left-arm spinners [Ravindra Jadeja and Krunal Pandya]. The test series will start soon, and hopefully, India will play on good pitches and not rank turners, as it has been in the last series because India is very good team on any surface*."*
India's T20I form at home has been less than impressive in 2019. Australia defeated them 2-0 in February, and a young South Africa side managed to fight back and level a three-match series 1-1 earlier this month. Ganguly wasn't too concerned about the results, but said the way Kohli handles the mayhem around him as the T20 World Cup approaches will be crucial.
"India last played against Australia at home in T20 games and now against South Africa and the results have not been a happy one for them but that can happen in sport," he wrote. "One has to give credit to South Africa for their fightback to level the series in the third T20.
"The T20 World Cup is in Australia next year and opinions and judgements will be passed. The key person amidst all this will be Virat Kohli, and it will be important for him to stay calm for a long period of time."