Sourav Ganguly highlights importance of a 'wrist spinner' for India in Cricket World Cup 2023

Former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has highlighted the importance of a wrist spinner.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has highlighted the Indian team’s urgency to look for a wrist spinner as soon as possible for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. He believes that Chahal missed out on the last few ICC events and India will have to look for a wrist spinner. Spinners will be playing a crucial role in the tournament as Indian pitches will be dry and weather conditions will suit the slow bowlers during the tournament. India have multiple options available with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Yuzvendra Chahal all in contention for a place in the World Cup squad. World Cup 2023 is scheduled to begin on 5th October in Ahmedabad. 

'Wrist spinners are important'

Sourav Ganguly led India to the World Cup Final in 2003 in South Africa. On India’s spin attack Sourav Ganguly said, “I feel India have to find a wrist spinner for this World Cup. Jadeja is there, Ravichandran Ashwin is there, Axar Patel is there, who according to me is also an exceptional bowler”. On Wrist spinners, he added, “Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav are there but Chahal somehow misses a big tournament. He performs extremely consistently in shorter formats, whether it is 20-over or 50-over, it is important to keep an eye on him as well”. Chahal did well along with Kuldeep Yadav in the 2019 World Cup in England. 

Sourav Ganguly further added that playing with a wrist spinner against teams like Australia, England, and South Africa gives an extra advantage. He also highlighted the important role Piyush Chawla played in the 2011 World Cup against England and Ireland.

"When you will play Australia, England or South Africa, a wrist-spinner makes a difference in these conditions. In 2011, there was Piyush Chawla, who bowled well," added Ganguly.

India will be starting their World Cup campaign against Australia at The Chepauk in Chennai on 8th October. India failed to win the semifinal of their last two World Cup tournaments. In 2015, India lost to Australia in the semi-final while in 2019 India lost to New Zealand in the semi-final.