The hosts will begin their World Cup campaign by taking on Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. Speaking to PTI, Ganguly opened up on India’s chances and said, “They will have to bat very well, if they bat well they will win. The World Cup is different, Asia Cup is different and the Australia home series is different. Every tournament depends on how they play that particular moment. India are a strong side; but they have to play well during the World Cup.”

India’s decision to leave out senior leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in favor of bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has met with mixed views. But, according to Ganguly, the selection is a good one. He opined, “They have picked Axar Patel ahead of Chahal because of his batting. So I think it’s a good selection. Chahal can still come back if someone gets injured. This is a 17-member squad, two, in any case, will have to move out. I think it’s a very fair side, the right side they have picked. It’s just that they have to play well now.”

Asked about Pakistan, he described them as a very balanced side. On the India-Pakistan tussle, he stated that the team who plays better on the day will win. Ganguly commented, “They are a very good side. They have a very good bowling attack — Naseem Shah, Shahid Afridi, Haris Rauf. They are a very balanced team. India is a strong side. It’s how you play on that particular day; there is no rocket science to it.

India will take Pakistan in their opening match of Asia Cup 2023 in Pallekele on September 2.

–By A Cricket Correspondent