Zaheer's absence won't be felt much: Ganguly by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

Z Khan, SC Ganguly

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DateLine: 11th August 2009

 

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly said that the absence of Zaheer Khan in Sri Lanka and Champions Trophy 2009 would not make much of a difference.

 

Talking to reporters after going through Kolkata Knight Riders fitness test under physio Andrew Leipus at Eden Gardens, Ganguly said that India won in the West Indies without hard-hitting opener Virender Sehwag and Zaheer himself.

 

"I know Zaheer (Khan) is ruled out but I am not sure about (Virender) Sehwag. But the duo did not play in the West Indies (one-day series) but we won there (2-1). In fact, Zaheer's absence will give a good opportunity for the youngsters to prove themselves at the big stage," said the former India captain.

 

On the ongoing Ashes, Ganguly picked Australia as the hot favourites to win after their brilliant fightback to level the series 1-1 in the fourth Test.

 

"Going by their momentum, the Aussies have an upper hand to win in Oval. There is news that (Andrew) Flintoff will play the decider in Oval," he said.