India vs West Indies 2016: Sourav Ganguly points out flaws in Virat Kohli's strategy

Sourav Ganguly was once the most successful Indian Test captain

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly feels that spinner Ravichandran Ashwin should have been brought ahead of Amit Mishra in the recently concluded Test match which ended in a draw. After the West Indies were dismissed for 196 runs in the first innings, India had put on a strong batting performance reaching the 500 run mark courtesy of a brilliant century by KL Rahul.

With a lead of 304 runs, the visitors were aiming to wrap up the Test match, and even started proceedings on a high claiming 4 wickets in the first 48 runs. But then Roston Chase came in and produced something phenomenal, he steered West Indies to a draw with an unbeaten knock of 137 runs.

Leading 1-0 after a memorable win in Antigua in the first Test, Kohli’s army was on the hunt for another victory to ensure they secure the series. But an excellent batting display and an ordinary bowling performance by the Indian players denied them the Test match which was affected by rain. Jermaine Blackwood and Jason Holder also played supporting roles in the heroic act.

Sourav Ganguly spoke to India Today and admitted that Virat Kohli should have used Umesh Yadav as an attacking bowler. He said, "I think Kohli needs to use Umesh a lot better. I think he is a far better bowler than that. He only bowled 12 overs. I know when you play with five bowlers, one of them gets slightly under-bowled.

“But I think he has got to use Umesh as a wicket-taking bowler. He has got a lot of ability. But all said and done, more than the Indians, you have to give credit to the likes of Blackwood, Chase, Dowrich and Holder. They showed lot of guts, a lot of fight, they were exceptional. I have seen series turned this way. There is a lot of cricket to be played and things look different after such situations,"

The “Prince of Calcutta” though ruled out the possibility of West Indies producing an upset. "India will win this series. They are the better side. I don't see West Indies taking 20 wickets” said the former southpaw. The third Test match starts on 9 August at Gros Islet, and Ganguly doesn’t feel that the team needs to be changed.

He said, "I don't see any changes in the Indian team. They will go with the same side in the third Test. They are playing at St. Lucia and I think that will be a result-oriented wicket. Kohli just has to use the bowlers a bit better. Ashwin has been exceptional, Mishra has been a bit unlucky. The fast bowlers have bowled well. Kohli needs to use Umesh as an attacking bowler."