Sourav Ganguly Bats For India-Pakistan Bilateral Series

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed the resumption of bilateral cricket with Pakistan even as the series remains in the doldrums. (Anurag Thakur Virtually Rules Out Series With Pakistan)

Only days back Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Anurag Thakur had virtually ruled out the chance of playing Pakistan in the proposed bilateral series, saying that it will be "impossible for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)" to arrange a series in such a short time. (BCCI Could Face Legal Ramifications)

Ganguly, however, said that he was in favour of India playing Pakistan given the interest the clash generates in both countries. (Pakistan May Pull Out of 2016 T20 World Cup)

"India-Pakistan contests are high octane given the interest it garners in both countries. Personally I am in favour of a series," Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of a jewelry store inauguration in Ranchi. "However, there several factors which play part," he added.

While the has been playing the waiting game by extending deadlines after deadlines for the BCCI, the Indian cricket board has maintained all along that the decision to play its arch rival rests with its government.

The PCB had put forward tentative dates for the series comprising three ODIs and two T20 Internationals in Sri Lanka: December 15-January 4 or December 19-January 4.

However, time doesn't seem to be on the side of the proposed series with India's tour of Australia starting January 12. The Indian team is scheduled to leave for Australia on January 5.

Meanwhile, Ganguly also backed the return of swashbuckling Southpaw Yuvraj Singh and pacer Ashish Nehra in India's Twenty20 team for the Australia tour.

"If they perform consistently they will continue to remain in the squad," Ganguly said.

India take on Australia in five One-day Internationals and three Twenty20s with the first ODI slated for January 12 at the WACA in Perth.