Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly seems unhappy with the Indian team management for not giving Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul a longer run in the playing XI in ODIs.

As quoted in Hindustan Times, Ganguly said, “It is imperative Rahane plays at No.3. In fact, to my mind, both Rahane and KL Rahul (not in the squad) should be playing more and more ODIs. When Virat comes back at No.3, there will still be slots at Nos.4 and 5 (with Dhoni at No.6) and if you are looking at the World Cup 2019, I would want the selectors and team management to back Rahane and Rahul. They have proved themselves in the past and I think they will make the middle-order more productive.” 

Sourav believes that Rahane should play in Mohali and that the conditions might well be similar in the 2nd ODI. He said, “I know it will seam in Mohali too – since it’s an 11.30am start – and India must play Ajinkya Rahane at No.3. He should have played in Dharamsala too because he has the ability to play in such conditions. So, I am a little curious to know why he didn’t play.”

He further added, “An early start in Mohali would mean the ball will swing and seam with all the moisture around and with two new balls being used from either end, Rohit and Shikhar have to play out the phase. Once settled, batsmen will enjoy hitting through the line on the Mohali wicket.”

After losing the first ODI pretty comprehensively, the men in blue will be looking forward to winning the do-or-die second match on Wednesday against Sri Lanka.