Former captain Sourav Ganguly has urged caution in drawing conclusions about India’s Test cricket future based on their loss to Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Despite India’s fightback in the latter stages of the match, they ultimately succumbed to a 209-run defeat at the hands of Australia.

Ganguly emphasized that India possesses a deep talent pool and should not be judged solely on one loss. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to move forward, stating, “Let’s not jump to conclusions due to just one loss, India will always have talent. And I don’t think it is time to look beyond Virat (Kohli) or (Cheteshwar) Pujara. Virat is just 34.”

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Highlighting the abundant reserves of talent in India, Ganguly pointed out the need to provide opportunities to deserving players. He mentioned Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Abhimanyu Easwaran as players who have excelled in domestic cricket and should be considered for the Test team. Ganguly also expressed his desire to see Hardik Pandya make a comeback to Test cricket, particularly in challenging conditions.

Regarding Pandya, who has showcased his skills as an all-rounder in limited-overs cricket, Ganguly acknowledged his growth as a captain and his success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he emphasized the need for Pandya to prove himself in the longer format and earn his spot through consistent performances. Pandya’s last Test appearance was in September 2018, and he has expressed his willingness to go through the grind and earn his place back in the Test side.

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Sourav Ganguly concluded by stating, “If I want to play Test cricket, I will go through the grind, I will earn my position and then come back. For that reason, to be very honest, I will not be available or play the World Test Championship Final, or any future Test matches until I feel that I have earned my spot.”

While the loss in the WTC final is a setback for India, Ganguly remains optimistic about the team’s future, emphasizing the talent and potential within the Indian cricket system. He believes that with the right opportunities and support, India can continue to compete at the highest level in Test cricket.