Am jus referring to Ganguly here....
When Sourav Ganguly was left out of the Rest of India squad for the recent Irani Trophy tie against Ranji champions Delhi, a few cricketing experts started predicting the end of the road for ‘The Prince of Kolkata’. But, as is his wont, Ganguly proved his detractors wrong yet again when the new selection committee headed by K Srikkanth named him in the Indian squad for the first two Test matches against Australia – at Bangalore from October 9-13 and at Mohali from October 17-21.
Many of Ganguly’s supporters felt that the former India captain was made the fall guy for the team’s Test series loss in Sri Lanka, when in fact the rest of India’s Fab four – Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman – failed to do much with the bat either. But, this was just another instance when Ganguly had the right to feel aggrieved.
Ganguly was one of India’s most successful batsmen in 2007 – the year in which he made another of his comebacks to the team and scored 1,106 Test runs at an average of 61.44 and 1,240 runs in one-day internationals at 44.28. Ganguly was the second highest run-getter in Test cricket and the fifth highest run-scorer in ODIs last year. Though Ganguly is no longer a part of India’s ODI team, he still has a bit to offer to the Test side, and will be looking to prove a point to his critics in the first two Test matches against Australia.
Ganguly has made a habit of making his detractors eat their words, and he has achieved this not only because of his cricketing talent, but also thanks to his mental strength and character. He is a very proud and self-confident individual, and these traits have stood him in good stead when faced with tough situations.
Ganguly’s inclusion in the team for the Tests against Australia led to speculation that this was done to give him a honourable exit from Team India and he would be the first of India’s senior cricketers to take up BCCI’s so-called “VRS” offer. This was a most preposterous suggestion, and has been dismissed as such by India’s Test captain Anil Kumble. And, Ganguly himself has rubbished reports of such a suggestion. It is ironic though that Ganguly, who is India’s most successful captain ever, is now made to feel unwanted.
But, when it’s time to get down to business, one can be assured that Ganguly will not only be looking to prove a point to the critics, but he would also want to prove to himself that he still has a lot to offer and deserves to play international cricket....
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
In Indian Cricket "Source" is the ruler and king !!!!
It was a day like any other day in Indian cricket. The media squeaked, croaked, screamed and did everything possible to be the first with the news.
It was a day when the Indian team for the Australian series was also to be selected. The ubiquitous source, that trusted friend of ours, who never lets down those in need, was being quoted in great detail on why Sourav Ganguly will not be dropped from the team.
The reports said that there has been a quid pro quo, and Ganguly will be picked on the condition that he retires after the series is over.
Reporter after reporter on almost every TV channel spoke with that "know-all" look that suggests that the person must have been an eyewitness to this 'deal'.
Some better professionals even made you feel that they may have played an important role in striking the 'deal'. Not just Ganguly, all the seniors will now get a decent "burial", we were told.
They just have to choose the time and place. For many, if this deal story was true, it meant humiliation of the seniors, though everyone agrees that there has to be a gradual phase-out. This series may not be the right time to execute that plan but it has to be done, sooner or later.
But to follow a VRS is not the right way to go about it, as it does give the impression of a favour being done to the players. That is why most of us reacted in indignation.
Ganguly must have been feeling the most aggrieved, wondering why he should always be the first to be targeted. His has been a story right from the day he made his debut, of a man whom no one ever wants but can't do without.
By the evening, this "deal" theory was being spoken of in muted tones with Ganguly dismissing it with uncharacteristic indignation in front of the cameras.
Finally, it was left to Anil Kumble to tell the world that they had heard nothing of it. His was a voice of reasoned sanity. "Put us under scrutiny but do it respectfully" he was forced to say.
The Indian Board, whose lack of transparent ways, has made this "Source" acquire monstrous dimensions, was in action the next day again, being quoted everywhere, this time to deny the story.
The truth? Well for that you would have to read IS Bindra. He wrote almost a tome in praise of the administrators who have given a new "direction to world cricket".
From Sharad Pawar to Lalit Modi, we were told how great they are.
They sure must be, but unless a 'source' tells us that, it can't be true.
It was a day when the Indian team for the Australian series was also to be selected. The ubiquitous source, that trusted friend of ours, who never lets down those in need, was being quoted in great detail on why Sourav Ganguly will not be dropped from the team.
The reports said that there has been a quid pro quo, and Ganguly will be picked on the condition that he retires after the series is over.
Reporter after reporter on almost every TV channel spoke with that "know-all" look that suggests that the person must have been an eyewitness to this 'deal'.
Some better professionals even made you feel that they may have played an important role in striking the 'deal'. Not just Ganguly, all the seniors will now get a decent "burial", we were told.
They just have to choose the time and place. For many, if this deal story was true, it meant humiliation of the seniors, though everyone agrees that there has to be a gradual phase-out. This series may not be the right time to execute that plan but it has to be done, sooner or later.
But to follow a VRS is not the right way to go about it, as it does give the impression of a favour being done to the players. That is why most of us reacted in indignation.
Ganguly must have been feeling the most aggrieved, wondering why he should always be the first to be targeted. His has been a story right from the day he made his debut, of a man whom no one ever wants but can't do without.
By the evening, this "deal" theory was being spoken of in muted tones with Ganguly dismissing it with uncharacteristic indignation in front of the cameras.
Finally, it was left to Anil Kumble to tell the world that they had heard nothing of it. His was a voice of reasoned sanity. "Put us under scrutiny but do it respectfully" he was forced to say.
The Indian Board, whose lack of transparent ways, has made this "Source" acquire monstrous dimensions, was in action the next day again, being quoted everywhere, this time to deny the story.
The truth? Well for that you would have to read IS Bindra. He wrote almost a tome in praise of the administrators who have given a new "direction to world cricket".
From Sharad Pawar to Lalit Modi, we were told how great they are.
They sure must be, but unless a 'source' tells us that, it can't be true.
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