"Don't Perform Well...": Sourav Ganguly's Blunt Take On India's Failures At ICC Events

09.07.2023 - 04:25 sports.ndtv.com

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who turned 51 on Saturday, has explained why Team India struggle to win knockout matches of major events.

India have not won a major ICC trophy since 2013 when the MS Dhoni-led side had won the Champions Trophy in England. Since then, the team has lost four finals, and have bowed out in the semi-final on as many occasions.

In an interview, Ganguly said that the reason behind India's failures is due to lack of "execution" rather than "mental pressure". "We don't perform well sometimes, in crucial phases.

I don't feel it is mental pressure, but all about execution. They are mentally strong people. Hopefully, they will cross the line soon," said Ganguly on RevSportz.

cricket India Cricket Team World Cup 2023 on Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Sourav Ganguly India

India's fielding coach T Dilip praised former captain Virat Kohli's fitness levels after the batter reached 121 on the Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against West Indies here at Queen's Park Oval. Playing in his 500th international match, Virat Kohli scored his first overseas century since 2018 for India. Kohli, who resumed on 87 on day two of the second Test match against West Indies, completed a flawless hundred to take his tally of Test hundreds on par with Sir Donald Bradman.

After Ajinkya Rahane's Single-Digit Scores vs West Indies, Ex-India Star Gets The Feeling That "Notice Period Is On"

India has so far been in complete control in the second Test against West Indies in Trinidad. While Virat Kohli scored his 29th Test ton, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin scored brilliant half-centuries to take India's first innings score to 438. However, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who made a comeback to the Test team after some solid display in domestic cricket, could not replicate the same form in the two Tests so far. In the first Test in Dominica, he was out for 3. Then in the first innings of the second Test, Rahane was out for 8. All this is giving former India opener Aakash Chopra the feeling that his 'notice period is on'.

"Played Like It Was His...": Dinesh Karthik's Interesting Take On Virat Kohli's 500th International Game Milestone

Playing his 500th international match, Virat Kohli headlined his 500th milestone appearance with a 76th hundred as India coasted to a healthy first innings score of 438. On Day 1, Kohli took his time and batted excellently under tricky conditions. The 34-year-old was 87 not out when stumps were called on Day 1. on Day 2, Kohli, who missed out on a hundred in the previous Test, made a polished 121 in 206 balls, his 29th in the longest format, getting on even keel with none other than the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. While analysing the match on Day 1, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik lauded Kohli for showing hunger, saying that he was playing his 500th game like it was his fifth game.

On The Day He Equalled Don Bradman, Surpassed Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli Talks About 'Challenging Times'

Following his 76th international century in his 500th international match, star India batter Virat Kohli said that his century was satisfying as he had to "do the hard yards" and added that he had to be patient as the wicket was slow. West Indies made a cautious start in reply to India's massive first innings total of 438 runs as they lost only one wicket during the final session of the second Test at Port of Spain on Saturday.

India vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 2: West Indies Solid In Reply After Virat Kohli Ton Powers India To 438

Virat Kohli equalled Sir Don Bradman's record of 29 hundreds in India's commendable first innings score of 438 but their bowlers found it a tough grind as West Indies ended second day on 86 for 1 in the second Test at Port of Spain, Trinidad. Kohli, who missed out on a hundred in the previous Test, made amends with a polished 121 in 206 balls, his 76th hundred in 500 international appearance. In the process, Kohli also added 159 runs for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (61 off 152 balls), who also scored his 19th half-century in Tests.

Watch: The Moment Virat Kohli Equalled Don Bradman With Terrific Ton vs West Indies

Virat Kohli climbed yet another peak in international cricket as he became the first player to score a ton in his 500th international match. The former Indian cricket team captain achieved the feat on the second day of the second Test against West Indies in Trinidad. It was Kohli's 76th international ton, and his first overseas Test ton since 2018. Kohli now has 29 international tons, equalling the record of the Australian legend Don Bradman. Also, Kohli now has the most number of international tons in 500 matches, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 75 international tons in his first 500 international matches.