Virender Sehwag Doesn't Deserve to Tour England, Gautam Gambhir Does: Ganguly

Virender Sehwag's loss is Gautam Gambhir's gain, feels former Indian Test captain Sourav Ganguly. Gautam Gambhir made a return to India's Test team when the national selectors picked the squad for the England tour earlier this week in Mumbai. Gambhir last played a Test match in December 2012 against England in Nagpur.

"Not too many surprises in the Test squad but it is good to see Gambhir in the squad. The selectors needed a third opener and with Virender Sehwag not getting big runs in the IPL, they have gone back to Gambhir," said Ganguly in an interview to www.gocricket.com.

Ganguly feels Shikhar Dhawan and Murli Vijay will be India's first-choice openers and deserves to do the job once again in England. "Gambhir will have to wait for his chance. Shikhar and Vijay have done well as openers but in a five-Test series, the opportunity will come. The weather and wickets will be dodgy and Gambhir's chance will come," says Ganguly. (Big Opportunity for Uthappa, Tiwary: Ganguly)

Saying that it's been a "big break" for Gambhir, Ganguly feels the left-hander needs to tighten up his technique. "Opening in English conditions will be tough and India will be playing on green pitches. Gambhir has to be really solid. He will have to get his confidence back. He made a remarkable start but then lost it. Hopefully, this two-year gap will make him mentally stronger," said Ganguly.

The former skipper said MS Dhoni and team must acclimatise before the first Test at Nottingham from July 9. 'The team is compact but getting used to the conditions for a long tour will be key," Ganguly added.