I did not play the first two Test matches and I was motivated, I was disciplined and really working hard on my batting, when I got to know that I was playing this (Johannesburg) Test match, and that is what I did and I am happy to contribute to the success, the stylish Mumbaikar noted. Echoing similar views, former India captain Sourav Ganguly also believes that the team now has potent enough bowling attack to win matches abroad. Absolutely they have the (bowling) attack to take 20 wickets. Indian cricket always has had the batsmen, who would put 400 runs on the board but the difference is when they put 400 runs on the board and you have bowlers to pick 20 wickets." Ganguly said that the pitch for the third Test in Johannesburg did a bit too much. In South Africa, the wicket at Wanderers (Johannesburg) did a bit too much. You won't get those sort of pitches in Test cricket but even in the first two Test matches, which were played on good pitches, the bowlers bowled exceptionally well. "You have got Bhuvanshwar Kumar, (Jasprit) Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and sitting out, there is Ishant Sharma," Ganguly said. Ganguly recalled his days as captain when Anil Kumble was at his peak and he demanded a decent score from batsmen so that he could attack. Anil Kumble used to say: "You give me 450 runs on the board in the first innings and I will win you Test matches. This team has the batting, already with Rahane, (Virat) Kohli and the rest, and they have the bowling too," he added. "The key is how we quickly we get on at the start of the tour, because that is very important. You saw in South Africa, as time went by, they got better and they have got all the qualities to win overseas, the legendary skipper and left-handed batsman explained. Ganguly however refused to comment on the controversy involving India pacer Mohammed Shami's personal life, saying we should looked at his cricket.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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