Ganguly: India will bounce back

London: It was a sort of "homecoming" for Sourav Ganguly. Starting from his debut Test hundred at Lord's, this ground has always held a special place in his heart. Not to speak, of course, of his famous shirt-waving scene after India chased down a 300-plus total to win the NatWest Trophy in 2002.

He was back at Lord's in a different role — as a commentator for the ongoing India-England series— and shared his views with Gulf News on the series. Excerpts: 

GULF NEWS: You seem to love coming back to England...

Sourav Ganguly: I do come to England because I love this country, especially the cricketing atmosphere. I got my debut hundred at Lord's in front of a packed crowd. I will never forget the ambience on that particular day. Since then I am in love with Lord's and I have a different feeling when I step onto this historic ground. 

You seem to enjoy commentary assignment as well...

One needs to have huge patience to do commentary. I do not have that much of patience because I never enjoyed watching a cricket match for the whole day. I accepted the commentary assignment for this series because this gives me an opportunity to come and enjoy the cricketing atmosphere in England. Of course, I will go to Australia to do commentary at the end of this year when India play against Michael Clarke's team. 

Can India bounce back after the heavy defeat at Lord's?

I am sure India will bounce back in the series. It all depends on whether Zaheer Khan will be declared fit or not. India should beat England with a fit Zaheer and Virender Sehwag. 

How can you be so sure?

I am sure India will fight back in the coming three Test matches. They'll have to because I know for sure they do not want to lose the No 1 status in Test cricket. 

What's the biggest strength of this current England team?

England looked a very improved side. They have been winning matches because they have the bowling department who can collect 20 opposition wickets. Australia were world champions for a long period because they had a formidable attack. Now they are no longer the same because they do not have the same bite in their bowling. India will have to organise their bowling department immediately so that they can check England's progress. 

Everybody expected Tendulkar to score the 100th hundred at Lord's…

You cannot plan to get a hundred, it happens. I am sure Sachin also did try to have a hundred at Lord's. He had a viral fever and we know one gets weaker with the viral fever. As far as my debut hundred at Lord's was concerned, I did smell the three-figure mark after I reached 90. Then I told myself please don't miss it because that was a dream-come-true situation. I think this century was the key factor for the success of my cricketing career. That gave me the confidence to continue and the selectors and the team management started realising that I was good enough to play in international cricket! 

Any comments on Kevin Pietersen's double hundred...

As far as Kevin is concerned, he is England's best batsman. He had to collect enough courage, confidence to make the double hundred at Lord's. I think his double century laid the foundation for England's victory at Lord's. Although the others chipped in, I think his innings made the difference between the two teams. He was the most deserving candidate to get the Man of the Match award.