Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday said the absence of a coach during the forthcoming tour of the United Kingdom will not have an adverse effect on the team's performance as skipper Rahul Dravid knew what it took to win matches.
"Rahul has played enough cricket to know what's required to win cricket matches. He has played more than 400 games for India. It's quite a lot. I am sure he - Sachin (Tendulkar) being the vice-captain (for the Test series) - they know what's required for the team to win," Ganguly said.
After South African Graham Ford refused the offer for the post of India's coach, BCCI appointed former skipper Chandu Borde as manager for the tour of Ireland and England.
Ganguly said that in the given situation senior players would have to take added responsibility.
"Of course, there will be responsibility (on senior players)", the former captain said on the sidelines of a promotional event in Bangalore.
"I always believed that in the team captain is the main man. Of course, we (senior players) will be there to support him."
Ganguly stressed the importance for India to do well during the tour.
"They (England) are a good side. We all need to play well. I need to play well personally. It's important for us to do well," he said.
"It's a good place to play cricket. Performances in England are noticed all over the world."
On left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, the main wicket-taker for England in recent Test matches, Ganguly said the first Sikh to play cricket for England was a quality bowler.
"For England, he is the main wicket-taker in the last 4-5 Test matches. Even in the early part of summer when wickets don't help (bowlers) that much... (he bowled well)," Ganguly said, referring to Panesar's 10-wicket haul in the third Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford.
"He (Panesar) is a quality spinner. But at the same time, he also will have to bowl against (Indian) players who play spin bowling well. It's going to be a good challenge for him," Ganguly said.
All-rounder Andrew Flintoff is doubtful for the series against India and the Bengal left-hander said his absence would benefit India.
"He (Flintoff) is a key bowler in their attack and if he does not play, it will be good for us."
