“I thought it was India's chance” - Sourav Ganguly reveals he predicted India’s victory before the start of the Oval Test

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has revealed that he predicted India’s victory before the start of the fifth and final Test at the Oval in London after seeing the green top being laid for the series-deciding affair.

Ganguly, in an exclusive interview with India Today, revealed that on green tops, India has an exceptional record, courtesy of India’s impressive pace bowling unit. Notably, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna shone as they scalped 17 out of 20 wickets collectively.

"It was very good to watch. One thing I would like to say, when I saw so much grass on the pitch on the first day of the Oval, I thought it was India's chance. And I am not surprised. Because history says, you can see India's victory anywhere in the last 20-25 years," Ganguly told India Today.

"Where the fast bowlers have got a little help from cricket, whether it's Australia, South Africa or England, they have won. They have won in Perth twice. They have won in Johannesburg. They have won at Headingley. Now they have won in Oval. Wherever there is a little grass in the wicket, our fast bowlers become wicket-taking bowlers. It was very nice to see. I would like to congratulate Mohammed Siraj on behalf of all of us," he added.

Furthermore, Ganguly hailed the Indian batting unit for collectively stepping up and putting up impressive performances. Interestingly, three Indian batters crossed the 500-run milestone on the England tour.

While Shubman Gill ended the series as the leading run-scorer, accumulating 754 runs from five Tests, KL Rahul amassed 532 runs from 10 innings at an average of 53.2. On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja also went past 500 runs (516) from 10 innings at an exceptional average of 86.

"They played very well in England. On the 4th day in Manchester, when they started the second half, they were 0 for 2. And from there, to level the series at the end of the Oval, a very strong performance was shown by the Indian team," he stated.

"Congratulations to Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir. They went to England with a young team and gave such a good performance. Shubman Gill did great batting. After a long time, I don't think after 2002 or 2007, top 6 batsmen have done such a good performance in England. Rahul, Gill, Jaiswal, Pant, Jadeja, Washington Sundar. All of them have given 5 consistent performances," he concluded.

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