Gambhir deserves a place in the national team: Sourav Ganguly

The Kolkata Knight Riders’ skipper, Gautam Gambhir has been in scintillating form in the ongoing edition of the IPL, aggregating 411 runs from 10 matches at an average of 51.37. As per reports from india.com, former cricketer Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of the left hander making a comeback to the national team for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

“Gambhir deserves a place in the national team for the forthcoming Champions Trophy. He is in excellent touch,” Ganguly said. “I am truly elated to have watched Gambhir’s dedication even after playing the game for so many years. More importantly, KL Rahul is yet to regain fitness following injury. So, it will be high time for the selectors to think over Gambhir for the Champions Trophy.” Even Ravi Shastri has recently voiced a similar opinion in favuor of Gambhir.

With KL Rahul struggling with fitness and Ajinkya Rahane with form in ODIs, Gambhir might come in to the picture for the Champions Trophy team selection. But considering a national team selection based on a successful IPL season might prove to be jumping the gun too soon. Gambhir had a modest Ranji Trophy season of 2016/17 and the same can be said about his Vijay Hazare Trophy performances earlier this year. With an underwhelming record in England and the idea of building a settled squad for the World Cup two years later in the same nation, chances of Gambhir making the cut still look bleak albeit his IPL heroics.

With teams like England and South Africa doing well in ODIs since the past few years by investing hugely in young talent, a return national call up for someone over 35 years might be a step backward.