Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday said India would win the opening Test against Sri Lanka despite being reduced to 17/3 in a rain-affected opening day here. Lakmal stunned team India with figures of 6-6-0-3, and rattled world’s best batting line up with prized scalps of KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. During most memorable bowling spell of his career, Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal gave him Four Slips and a Gully! Against Indian batting, that too in their home soil, these were rare scenes. Though, Ganguly has a different look out.
“Let me tell you one thing, India will win this Test even if they are 17/3,” Ganguly said at a book launch event when he was jokingly asked if a green-top was “deliberately” prepared to see India lose.
“I don’t decide whether a team plays on green-top or not,” the Cricket Association of Bengal president said.
“I could not control the rain for last two days. With rain covers and a bit of grass at the Eden, this was bound to happen. You have seen the game, you know how it is when it’s overcast and dark. There’s a lot of rain for two days and the wicket was under cover,” Ganguly added.
The entire first session was washed out and the toss could take place only at 1 pm, after early lunch was taken by the officials. The visitors put India to bat first after winning the toss in overcast conditions.
