cricket

Updated: May 04, 2017 17:15 IST

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir to be a part of the country’s ICC Champions Trophy squad following the left-hander’s scintillating form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) this season. (FULL IPL 2017 COVERAGE)

Gambhir has already aggregated 411 runs in 11 matches so far with four half-centuries to his name. He’s also second on the list of the highest run-getters in the IPL this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad’s David Warner (489 in 10 matches).

“Gambhir deserves a place in the national team for the forthcoming Champions Trophy. He is in excellent touch,” india.com quoted Ganguly as saying. “I am truly elated to have watched Gambhir’s dedication even after playing the game for so many years. More importantly, KL Rahul is yet to regain fitness following injury. So, it will be high time for the selectors to think over Gambhir for the Champions Trophy.”

READ | ICC Champions Trophy: Select Indian cricket team, SC administrators order BCCI

Gambhir had last played an ODI back in January 2013 against England and was dropped from the squad after he finished the tournament with just 127 runs in his kitty in five matches. He was recently included in the Test team last year when he played two matches, one each against the visiting New Zealand and England, after being dropped for nearly two years.

However, his form in the domestic circuit coupled with his swashbuckling knocks in the Indian Premier League might force the selectors to ponder over the possibility of handing him yet another comeback opportunity.