No place for soft nature in cricket : Ganguly

Young players should utilise opportunities as World Cup is round the corner

Kolkata: Two legends of the game, Wasim Akram and Anil Kumble, have been in the eye of the storm recently for taking it out on the young brigade of the Indian cricket team.

While Pakistan's Sultan of Swing has found the current pace bowlers ‘softies and lazy,' Kumble felt it's time the Yuvraj Singhs and Rohit Sharmas took more responsibility upon themselves.

What is Sourav Ganguly's take on this subject ? The former Indian skipper, who will be doing TV commentary in Champions League T-20, speaks to Gulf News on a range of subjects: right from the young players to the second phase of his reality show Dadagiri. Following are the excerpts:

GULF NEWS: Wasim Akram has blasted members of Indian pace attack as ‘softies and lazy'...

SOURAV GANGULY: They are new. I am sure with the passage of time, they will realise that there is no place for soft nature in international cricket. They will have to cope up with the pressure of international cricket as early as possible. They need to grow and mature very fast.

Anil Kumble, your former teammate, is also not very happy with the younger lot.

Since the World Cup will be knocking at the door very soon, everybody has to rise to the occasion. They should utilise the opportunities that the team management is offering them. There is not much time to cash in. Everyone has to be on toes.

What about the Indian fielding in Sri Lanka? Even the juniors can't deliver ... You were once accused of being a poor fielder.

Yes, I know but don't wish to comment on that.

What is the update on your shooting for the reality show Dadagiri?

Yes, I have started the shooting of Dadagiri, which would be on air in the first week of September. Now my routine is six months of cricket and six months of Dadagiri.

Is it one more challenge for you?

I think it will be a better programme this time but wouldn't be a challenge. Whatever challenge I took was on the pitch, Now, it is fun I would like to enjoy my life.

What is the USP (unique selling point) of this programme?

It's a family show and people from between the age group of eight and 80 years can enjoy this programme.

Will you be inviting Shah Rukh Khan, owner of your IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, this time also?

We will try to. Let's see.

What about Amitabh Bachchan?

Recently, I met him at the launch of CL- T20 and I requested him to appear in my show as well. But I think Aamir Khan will definitely come this time.

Finally, a cricket question. Now, Greg Chappell is the selector of Australia and the Australian media says that ‘Guru Greg' may try to oust Ricky Ponting.

I don't think so. Australia still need Ricky Ponting and I'm sure he will do well in the forthcoming Ashes series ... however, with him, you never know.

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