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Varun Aaron should play Manchester Test, says Ganguly

August 03, 2014 05:41 IST

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has called for the inclusion of pacer Varun Aaron keeping in mind the fast nature of the pitch in Manchester, the venue for the fourth Test between India and England, starting on August 7.

"Manchester track is the fastest wicket in England. I think Varun Aaron should get a look-in," Ganguly said on Saturday.

Varun AaronIshant Sharma, who bowled India to victory in the second Test at Lord's, has been ruled out of the fourth match with injury, while there is a cloud of doubt over Bhuvneshwar Kumar's participation with a swollen knee.

- Meet India's fastest bowler, Varun Aaron

Ganguly also called for some changes in India's batting and the inclusion of the experienced Gautam Gambhir in place of the struggling Shikhar Dhawan.

"India need some fresh heads at this stage. I'm not saying Gambhir would succeed but we need some fresh ideas. At this stage, it is anyone's series," he said, after taking over as the joint-secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal.

Ganguly expressed disappointment over the lacklustre showing of Bengal pacer Mohammad Shami in the three Tests and disagreed that severe workload was the reason for it.

"If he won't play cricket at this age then when would he?" the former skipper asked.

Coverage: India's tour of England 2014

Image: Varun Aaron

Photograph: Getty Images