Don't Lose Sleep Over Kochi Defeat, Sourav Ganguly Tells Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Sourav Ganguly says India remain favourites in the five-match ODI series against the West Indies even after losing the first match in Kochi by a whopping 124 run-margin. Ganguly sees the defeat as a "one-off" in home conditions and feels skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision to field first after winning the toss was an error. (Also read: Ishant Sharma replaces injured Mohit Sharma for India vs West Indies ODIs)

Speaking to a cricket website, Ganguly said "India should not lose sleep over the Kochi loss" but Mahendra Singh Dhoni needed to quickly get back on his feet, play good cricket and win. "There are four matches to be played and India have to pull up their socks," said Ganguly. (2nd ODI: Wounded India look to draw level vs spirited Windies)

"West Indies have surprised me with their cricket. They had two bad warm-up games but were a different team in Kochi," said Ganguly, hinting that Dhoni's decision to insert West Indies after winning the toss backfired on the Indians. (Did BCCI orchestrate Sunil Narine's 'exit'?)

"In conditions like Kochi where it gets to 45-46 degrees and the humidity is almost 100%, fielding 50 overs first can be very tough on any team, irrespective of how fit you are and West Indies were lucky to be batting first," said Ganguly, suggesting that Dhoni misjudged the moisture factor. (Rohit Sharma wants his opener's slot back)

"It surely rained overnight but in Kochi and Colombo the moisture don't last forever. After the first 10 overs, the wicket was a batting beauty. It's fine in England to win the toss and field first but on flat tracks in India, batting first helps and Dhoni should know that," the former Indian captain explained.

Ganguly said India's biggest worry was Virat Kohli's form. "He has been a class act and a match-winner for India in the last four-five years. But his batting has technical flaws and it's not only against moving balls. Dhoni will be a worried man," said Ganguly.

Ravichandran Ashwin's absence has weakened the spin department, feels Ganguly. The pressure will be on Amit Mishra and the leg-spinner needed to bowl better if India have to win. But don't count out West Indies yet, cautioned Ganguly. "If they bat well throughout the series, West Indies will compete hard," he said.