Dressing room unrest will be forgotten by Melbourne Test: Sourav Ganguly

Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan walk off the field after Day 2 of the Brisbane Test

Of all the unfortunate things to have happened to the Indian team on their ongoing tour of Australia, the most disturbing has been the outpouring of reports of a dressing room conflict between batsmen Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, himself no stranger to dressing room confrontations, has however predicted that the issue will not carry on into the third Test match at Melbourne.

Virat Kohli was dismissed cheaply on the fourth day of the Brisbane Test after being sent in to bat in the morning without prior notice, precipitating a spectacular Indian collapse. Reportedly, Kohli was not happy about the short notice given to him, and insinuated that Dhawan opted to not bat on the fourth day in fear of the Australian pace attack.

Saying that he had himself been put in Kohli’s position once at Cape Town when Sachin Tendulkar had been sent back to the pavilion by the umpire, Ganguly said, "I was in my track-bottoms and after the umpire told Tendulkar that he cannot bat, I had to quickly change and pad up in two minutes and go in. These are not much of an issue."

Melbourne is India’s best bet for victory

Sourav Ganguly said that India have more individuals capable of turning the game around than Australia, but are lacking the mental strength to come out on top in crucial moments.

"India had things under control but lost key moments and finished on the losing side. Two sessions, the morning of the second and third days, completely changed the tide against India. Deep down they will know that they gifted the match to Australia.

“Man to man, India are a much gifted and talented side and we have wasted an opportunity to beat Australia in Australia. India are a quality side and I am optimistic."

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, has said that India’s best chance of getting a win in this series will be at Melbourne, because of the nature of the pitch.

“If there is a game that they might win, it will be this one. With what is happening around the Australian team and the conditions here as well. The slow and flat wicket might suit them. So I will give them a little bit of chance.”