Exclusive | Sourav Ganguly confident of India winning series-decider against Australia

The Indian cricket team will have to pull their socks up if they want to tame a resurgent Australia in the series-deciding fifth ODI at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday.

Coming into the last game of the series at the Feroz Shah Kotla against Australia, Virat Kohli and boys will also have pride at stake with the series level at 2-2. Losing an ODI series at home will definitely not be ideal preparation for a team touted as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

The series started with the home team showing complete domination in the first two games, before Aaron Finch and boys made a comeback with a quality win in Ranchi. But not done with registering just a win, the Aussies showed that they are here to make a statement as they chased down India's total of 358 with 4 wickets in their kitty.

However, former India captain Sourav Ganguly is confident that India will be able to pull off the series-decider.

"Australia have made a superb comeback into the series. I feel Australia have played better cricket than India. Ashton Turner played an outstanding knock in Mohali and chasing 350 plus is not a small achievement.

However, India have been in this pressure situation before and they have a good record of pulling off these matches," Sourav Ganguly told IndiaTV during 'Cricket Ki Baat' show aired on Tuesday.  

Ganguly though cautioned India about the in-form Aussies who, according to him, will give Virat and boys a tough challenge.

"The entire Australian team is in good form... Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb and also Ashton Turner. So, this will be a different challenge for India. Anything can happen tomorrow but I will not rule India out as they have pulled off these tie-breakers or shoot-outs before," Ganguly said.

Ganguly also said that the team winning the toss should opt to bowl, keeping in mind the dew factor at Kotla.

"Dew will be there in Delhi... Team winning the toss should chase. You saw how the Indian bowlers were hit by Australian batsmen in Mohali. So, India need to chase if they win the toss as they have the ability in their batting to win matches," he said.

Source