Ganguly: Ashwin will be key against WI

"I think Ashwin will be the key in West Indies," former India captain Sourav Ganguly has said. India will play four Tests in the series in the Caribbean beginning July 21.

Sourav Ganguly believes India has the side to beat West Indies.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly today said off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would be key to India’s success in the Test tour of the West Indies, their first series under new head coach Anil Kumble. “I think Ashwin will be the key in West Indies,” Ganguly, who turned 44 today, said at his residence.

Fresh from winning its second World Twenty20 title, West Indies finished runner-up to Australia in a triangular ODI series also involving South Africa to continue a glorious year that has seen it also win the women’s World T20 and the Under-19 World Cup. “They are looking stronger and in the middle of a fine form. But I think India have the side to beat them. I wish luck to (Virat) Kohli and (Anil) Kumble,” Ganguly added.

Kumble will begin his stint as head coach with two practice matches against WICB President’s XI from July 9 to July 16 followed by the four Tests from July 21 to August 22.