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New Delhi: Former captain Sourav
Ganguly on Saturday ruled out
Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh's
chances of staging a comeback to the
Indian team for next year's ODI
World Cup.
"It will be difficult for Sehwag and
Yuvraj to play in this World Cup.
Because World Cup is so near and
Dhoni won't make many changes in
the side," a candid Ganguly said at
an event here.
Ganguly, who was known for
unearthing talents during his tenure
as skipper, though lavished praised
on Yuvraj and Sehwag and called
them genuine match-winners.
"They were great players, one of the
best I have seen but time catches up
with everyone and so is the case with
Viru and Yuvi," Ganguly said at the
'Salaam Cricket Conclave', a day- long
event organised by India Today
group.
Ganguly believes that the Indian
cricket team has a realistic chance of
defending the world title in the
tournament slated to be held in
Australia and New Zealand form
February next year.
"India has a quality ODI team though
they have not done well in Tests
abroad. But in ODI there is a good
chance," he said.
Pointing out that every team needs
some x-factors to go the distance,
Ganguly said this Indian team has
that.
"India have four or five good quality
players and these will be crucial x-
factors for the team to do well Down
Under," he said.
Praising both Virat Kohli and Suresh
Raina for their superlative shows with
the bat, Ganguly mentioned that
India's performance in the upcoming
quadrennial event will depend on
how these two perform.
"Virat has done well in overseas
conditions. He has played match-
winning innings in South Africa and
Australia.
Lot will be depend on him. If he does
well India will put up a good show.
"Raina has done very well recently.
He has been consistent but it will
also be a challenge for him to carry
that form in Australia."
Ganguly feels that apart form India,
four other teams also have a chance
to clinch the Cup.
"Australia and South Africa have a
good fast bowling and in Australian
pitches these two have good chances.
Australia, South Africa, India, Sri
Lanka and New Zealand are the five
strong contenders for the WC 2015,"
Sourav said.
India will be playing against Australia
Down Under prior to the World Cup
and Ganguly firmly believed that a
break before the mega event will be
crucial for the team.
"I hope that BCCI will bring back the
team for 7-10 days after the tour. It
will help a lot," Ganguly said.
Asked about India's concerns over
death bowling, he said that the young
Turks will need time to get
accustomed to the new set of rules.
"These are young bowlers and they
need times. Rules have changed,
batting standards have improved and
cricket overall has changed. That has
put the bowlers under more
pressure," Ganguly said.
Talking about the 2003 World Cup
team which lost to Australia in a one-
sided final, Ganguly wished his team
was playing in this era.
"I hope that team would play in this
era. Australians were fabulous. We
lost to a superior team," Ganguly
said.
Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag won't feature in 2015 World Cup: Ganguly
Ganguly on Saturday ruled out
Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh's
chances of staging a comeback to the
Indian team for next year's ODI
World Cup.
"It will be difficult for Sehwag and
Yuvraj to play in this World Cup.
Because World Cup is so near and
Dhoni won't make many changes in
the side," a candid Ganguly said at
an event here.
Ganguly, who was known for
unearthing talents during his tenure
as skipper, though lavished praised
on Yuvraj and Sehwag and called
them genuine match-winners.
"They were great players, one of the
best I have seen but time catches up
with everyone and so is the case with
Viru and Yuvi," Ganguly said at the
'Salaam Cricket Conclave', a day- long
event organised by India Today
group.
Ganguly believes that the Indian
cricket team has a realistic chance of
defending the world title in the
tournament slated to be held in
Australia and New Zealand form
February next year.
"India has a quality ODI team though
they have not done well in Tests
abroad. But in ODI there is a good
chance," he said.
Pointing out that every team needs
some x-factors to go the distance,
Ganguly said this Indian team has
that.
"India have four or five good quality
players and these will be crucial x-
factors for the team to do well Down
Under," he said.
Praising both Virat Kohli and Suresh
Raina for their superlative shows with
the bat, Ganguly mentioned that
India's performance in the upcoming
quadrennial event will depend on
how these two perform.
"Virat has done well in overseas
conditions. He has played match-
winning innings in South Africa and
Australia.
Lot will be depend on him. If he does
well India will put up a good show.
"Raina has done very well recently.
He has been consistent but it will
also be a challenge for him to carry
that form in Australia."
Ganguly feels that apart form India,
four other teams also have a chance
to clinch the Cup.
"Australia and South Africa have a
good fast bowling and in Australian
pitches these two have good chances.
Australia, South Africa, India, Sri
Lanka and New Zealand are the five
strong contenders for the WC 2015,"
Sourav said.
India will be playing against Australia
Down Under prior to the World Cup
and Ganguly firmly believed that a
break before the mega event will be
crucial for the team.
"I hope that BCCI will bring back the
team for 7-10 days after the tour. It
will help a lot," Ganguly said.
Asked about India's concerns over
death bowling, he said that the young
Turks will need time to get
accustomed to the new set of rules.
"These are young bowlers and they
need times. Rules have changed,
batting standards have improved and
cricket overall has changed. That has
put the bowlers under more
pressure," Ganguly said.
Talking about the 2003 World Cup
team which lost to Australia in a one-
sided final, Ganguly wished his team
was playing in this era.
"I hope that team would play in this
era. Australians were fabulous. We
lost to a superior team," Ganguly
said.
Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag won't feature in 2015 World Cup: Ganguly
