Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s absence for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh. He also praised another Bengal pacer Akash Deep.

Last Sunday (September 8), the men’s national selection committee chose the 16-member Indian squad for the first Test of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at Chennai. This Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, which will begin on September 19. 

Although it was expected that Mohammed Shami could return to the national squad for the Chennai Test after recovering from the injury, the selectors have decided to give him more time in the recovery process.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about Shami’s injury. He feels that Shami will be more important for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

Ganguly said, according to the PTI, “I know Mohammed Shami is missing because of injury, but he will be back very soon since India is going to Australia. It’s still a very good attack.”

Akash Deep is one to watch out for: Sourav Ganguly

For the upcoming Chennai Test, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are ready in the Indian pace-bowling line-up along with Akash Deep and the uncapped left-arm pacer Yash Dayal.

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Ganguly highly praised the 27-year-old right-arm pacer Akash Deep. The former Indian captain believes that he is one to watch out for.  

Ganguly said, “Akash Deep is an outstanding young fast bowler. He runs in, bowls quick, and will bowl for long periods. I’ve seen him play for Bengal, taking wickets. He will be as quick as Siraj and Shami, hitting high 140s. He is one to watch out for.”

In his 32 first-class matches, Akash Deep took 116 wickets. He also picked up 42 wickets in 28 List A games, and 49 wickets in 42 T20s. During the Ranchi Test against England last February, he made his Test debut and picked up three wickets. He is also a handy right-handed batter.  

During the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 first round, India A cricketer Akash Deep took nine wickets (4/60 and 5/56) and scored 11 and fighting 43 runs. However, they still suffered a defeat against India B. 

India are a very good team: Sourav Ganguly

Talking about the upcoming Chennai Test, the former Indian captain talked about the strong Indian spin-bowling line-up.  

Ganguly said, “In India, you will see a lot more spin. In Chennai, you will see a lot more bounce. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment — it won’t be easy. When you play in India, spinners have a lot more say in the game. But India are a very good team.”

Sourav Ganguly talked about upcoming Australia and England tour

Later this year, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). In mid-2025, India will tour England for another five-match Test series. Ganguly feels that these two away Test series will be the real test for the Indian cricket team. 

Ganguly said, “I am looking forward to their tour to Australia; that, for me, will be the real test for the squad. Then, when they tour England in July, these are the two most important tours, to be honest. I think the pace bowling department, with Bumrah and Siraj, and once Shami comes back, will be strong.”