Cricket

Sourav Ganguly names three players from India’s 2019 World Cup squad he would pick in 2003 WC team

 

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has named three players from the team’s 2019 World Cup squad that he would pick for the 2003 World Cup team. India had made it to the final of the 2003 World Cup, in which they lost to Australia. Meanwhile, India’s 2019 World Cup journey ended when they lost to New Zealand in the semi-final.

Ganguly says that he would have picked Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as they would have added strength to India’s 2003 World Cup team. Rohit Sharma was the highest run-getter of the 2019 World Cup as he had scored 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81. Rohit scored five centuries in the World Cup and he is the solitary batsman to do so in a single edition of the World Cup.

Virat Kohli had scored 443 runs in the 2019 World Cup at an impressive average of 55.38. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah had scalped 18 wickets in nine matches of the World Cup at an average of 20.61.

 



There is no doubt that these three players are the best in the current Indian team and they would have added strength to the 2003 World Cup team. However, the combination would have been tricky as the 2003 World Cup already had Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly batting in the top order.

Ganguly said while talking to Mayank Agarwal on DadaOpensWithMayank on BCCI,  “Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.”

Explaining the reasons, Ganguly said, “The quality of Jasprit Bumrah. We played in South Africa, although we bowled exceptionally well in that series. Bumrah, Rohit and Virat would be in the middle. Rohit at the top, and I at no. 3. I don’t know, maybe Sehwag might be listening to this and I would get a phone call tomorrow, ‘what the hell do you think’. But I would have these three in the squad,” he said.

India had a weak middle order in the 2019 World Cup whereas the 2003 World Cup team had batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh.

In fact, Ganguly added that he would have picked MS Dhoni if Mayank had asked him to pick four players. Dhoni had all the experience and the talisman had almost got India over the line with Ravindra Jadeja in the semi-final contest against New Zealand.

However, Rahul Dravid had kept the wickets in 2003 World Cup and he had also done a fine job behind the wickets. Dravid’s record in the World Cup matches was brilliant as he had scored 860 runs in 22 matches at an average of 61.42 in the tournament. On the other hand, Dhoni scored 780 runs in 29 World Cup matches at an average of 43.33.

 

 

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Aakash Chopra opens up on Mitchell Starc’s T20I retirement, says pacer could have played next World Cup

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has expressed his surprise that Australian gun fast bowler… Read More

September 3, 2025

Irfan Pathan reveals Rohit Sharma’s future ODI plans amid retirement rumours

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed Rohit Sharma wants to keep playing at the… Read More

September 3, 2025

Aakash Chopra reveals why Mohammed Shami isn’t being considered for selection across formats

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Mohammed Shami isn't being considered for selection across… Read More

September 3, 2025

Aakash Chopra reveals why Shashank Singh wasn’t picked as a finisher for 2025 Asia Cup

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Shashank Singh wasn't picked as a finisher for… Read More

September 3, 2025

Irfan Pathan reveals why Harshit Rana is considered ahead of Harshal Patel in India’s T20I team

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed that Harshit Rana is ahead of Harshal Patel… Read More

September 3, 2025

Aakash Chopra opens up on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future, says both have realistic chances till 2027 World Cup

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s… Read More

September 3, 2025