IND Vs ENG: Former India Skipper Sourav Ganguly Feels Shubman Gill's Men Missed Great Opportunity To Take Series Lead

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly felt India missed a great opportunity to take a series lead at the Lord's, where England beat the visitors by 22 runs in the third Test of the five-match series. 

"India would be disappointed to leave as the losing side when they had an opportunity to go 2-1 up in the serieas. They should've got 193. The way Jadeja fought it out and took us close showed the batting quality which is there in this team. It was a great opportunity to lead 2-1 against England, " Ganguly added, on the sidelines of the Indian Racing League press conference.

With the raging debate over the Dukes ball going soft too soon, Ganguly offered his two cents on the issue. "We've seen lot of balls being changed on TV. I've been hearing Nasser and others talking about it. It's hard for me to be saying anything without holding the ball. During our times also, the ball got changed and it's happening here as well but I don't think it's influencing the Test match so much, " he explained. 

The 'Prince of Calcutta' also gave a thumbs up to India skipper Shubman Gill on his first tour as captain. "He'll handle it and he's a young captain. This is the best I've seen him bat. With regard to his captaincy he'll learn. He'll get better. "

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Ganguly was non-committal on whether Jasprit Bumrah should play the next two Tests or not. "With regard to Bumrah's workload management, it depends on his body whether he will play the next Test or not. Having said that we won without Bumrah in Birmingham. So there are two sides to it. He has nine days to recover before the next Test. So we'll see, " he added. 

Ganguly stressed on the importance of taking 20 wickets and backed Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the team. "As a wrist spinner, I would have played him. You need 20 wickets to win a Test match and India must find a way to find a place for Kuldeep in the XI."

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The former India skipper felt Rishabh Pant's run out in the first innings of the third Test did impact India's fortunes. "Yes, it was crucial in hindsight but having said that I feel India should've got 193 and won the game, " he added.