Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 8th July 2026, 10:38 PM
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed his profound surprise at the national team’s sudden dip in form during their ongoing Twenty20 International series against England. Characterising the batting slump as an unforeseen but temporary loss of momentum, the iconic cricketing figure insisted that the squad possesses more than enough tactical resilience to stage a successful recovery.
The tourist’s batting order suffered a catastrophic collapse during the latest fixture in Nottingham, where a relentless English bowling attack bundled them out for a paltry 76 runs. This heavy defeat has left the visitors trailing 0-2 in the bilateral series, triggering immense concern amongst supporters and commentators regarding India’s adaptability in challenging away conditions. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday during an event marking his 54th birthday, Ganguly reflected on the side’s unexpected struggles on British soil.
“I am certainly somewhat surprised by India’s recent performances,” Ganguly confessed. “In the white-ball formats, they have historically established themselves as an incredibly dominant and formidable unit. This current difficult patch feels very much like a brief aberration rather than a systemic decline.”
The team’s recent selection policies have also come under immense scrutiny from the travelling media. Reporters pressed the former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president regarding the controversial decision to drop World Cup-winning batsman Sanju Samson from the playing eleven during a concurrent tour of Zimbabwe. Ganguly, renowned for his seasoned administrative diplomacy, chose his words with utmost care to avoid undermining the current coaching and selection hierarchy.
“That specific selection is a decision entirely within the purview of the team management on the ground,” he remarked evenly. “It would be highly inappropriate for me to offer a critique of their internal selection strategies from the outside.”
Away from the cricket pitch, the self-confessed football enthusiast revealed that he has been completely engrossed by the high-stakes drama unfolding at the FIFA World Cup. Ganguly spoke passionately about his delight regarding Argentina’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt in the round of 16, an exceptionally tense encounter that secured the South American giants a place in the quarter-finals. The nail-biting fixture, which was heavily defined by late-stage drama and complex video assistant referee interventions, evidently captivated the former batsman.
The media briefing provided a brief, professional interlude in what has otherwise been a highly festive week for the Indian sports legend. Prior to addressing the gathered press corps, Ganguly had celebrated reaching his 54th birthday milestone at his private residence, marking the arrival of the day with a traditional midnight cake-cutting ceremony alongside family and close friends. Even amidst the celebratory atmosphere, his sharp analytical focus remained entirely fixed on the shifting fortunes of international sport.
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