Sourav Ganguly bats for Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Ben Stokes combination; would snub even a fit Jimmy Anderson

New Delhi: England's hopes of challenging India in the upcoming 5-match Test series received a big boost when the news of veteran Jimmy Anderson being fit to be included in the squad broke

Though ruled out of the first Test, Anderson might be a part of the 2nd Test provided he proves his fitness levels.

While Alastair Cook would be extremely interested in including Anderson in his squad, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly is rather against selection of even a fully fit Jimmy Anderson.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Ganguly said,

“I wouldn’t play him (Anderson) in India to be honest. It’s not the same Anderson as 2012 (when England won the Test series in India 2-1). I saw him in the Test series in England recently. He has lost a bit of pace. And I think Stuart Broad and Steven Finn and Ben Stokes (should play) because you will need a bit of pace in these conditions to get that ball to reverse. So, I don’t know whether he will make the side when he comes back. Not in Vizag where the ball will turn square, felt Ganguly while speaking as part of ESPNcricinfo Match Day, the analysis show that will be aired both on ESPNcricinfo and on the SONYESPN channel on every day of the five-Test series.”

“I don’t see him playing in the second Test. And if I were the England captain, I would go in with two fast bowlers – Broad and Stokes (along with Chris Woakes). And play three spinners – Moeen Ali, Gareth Batty and another spinner. The advantage is, Moeen, Stokes and Woakes can get runs with the bat. It makes the batting a lot longer and you still have three spinners for these conditions. That’s the way I will go and I don’t think Jimmy Anderson bowling at 80 miles an hour will find a place in my side.”

Ganguly rather singled out off-spinner Moeen Ali as a potent threat for the hosts on turning Indian pitches.