Focus shifts to ODIs from T20 : Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly | 2010-05-27 12:31:16

After the IPL extravaganza it was time for the T-20 world championship. The cricketing world will now start getting back from the most abridged version to a slightly lengthy one, which till the other day was considered to be the most exciting format. With the world cup round the corner, I strongly feel that team’s world over will certainly start re-focusing on the fifty-over version.

India has quite a number of important fifty over series and tournament ahead of them and I am certain that the endeavor would be to zero in on the core squad at the earliest. As soon as, that is over the team management, can utilize as many games as possible, in trying out various combinations in various situations and achieve the right balance much ahead of the world cup.

There is a feeling, that with the advent of the fifty-over version, test matches have started becoming more result-oriented. Players’ mentality has been affected and they are now more aggressive than before and everybody wants to go for the kill! Now with the twenty-over format in place the feeling might be that fifty-over version will become more action-packed! This is a very general way of looking at things. All the formats have their own exclusive charm. It is more about the players’ ability and how they like to carry it forward.

A Virender Sehwag will love to play his strokes right from the word ‘GO’, be it a test match, a fifty over game or the t-20. Michael Hussey will always be trying to tear in to the opposition bowling, be it the 18th over of a t-20 game or the 46th over of a fifty-fifty version. Sachin Tendulkar is sure to have a certain plan in place when he is opening in the fifty-over game and a completely different mindset when he walks out at number four in a test match. Each format of cricket evolves according to the capability and mentality of the cricketers.

The fifty over version has its own methodology; first, there is the 15-overs target to be fulfilled, then there are the middle-overs for consolidation. With the advent of fresh ball after the 35th over plans are bound to be affected. Added to that is the power-play factors, the captain, coach and the cricketers have to mentally adapt to these various situations at the drop of a hat. That challenge is bound to be different from the one in t-20.

With the season now moving on to the fifty-over version and world cup been the next major challenge, there will be lot of experimentation in all the teams. Sub-continent bring the host for 2011 every team will try and find out the best possible combination for the low& slow variety of wickets available in this part of the world. Three hundred runs have become more regular in the fifty-over version these days and in sub-continent conditions even a three hundred plus score is not always safe. But it will be different in Zimbabwe and one will definitely see even contest between the bat and ball...

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Dada was a fighter, he never gives up - Raina

Date : 5/23/10

Calcutta: Suresh Kumar Raina, who will be captaining a new-look Team India on the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe (tri-series and two T20 Internationals), took questions from The Telegraph, over the phone, on Saturday evening.

The following are excerpts

With just a few days to go before leaving for Zimbabwe, what are your thoughts?

The tour, as I see it, is an excellent opportunity for the young players... It’s nice that the seniors wanted a break and the selectors took the positive step of picking such a young side. Indeed, one is thankful to the Board.

You’ve had some days, between St Lucia and now, to think about your assignment...

I spoke to Gary (Kirsten, the coach) before leaving the West Indies... We talked about the preparations on getting to Zimbabwe... Yes, I’ve been thinking about the job... I’ve got a good pace attack, all are young and hungry... The tour will be an opportunity to learn and press for a regular berth in the ODIs and stake a claim at the highest level — Test cricket.

Captaining a young team... Is that an advantage or a disadvantage?

(Laughs) Look, main bhi young hoon (23)... I’ll be backed by an excellent support staff, which has helped take India to No.1 in Tests and No.2 in ODIs... Plus, the players are so eager... The ODIs are different, but we want the World Twenty20 disappointment to quickly become a thing of the past.

Biggest challenge?

To try and win every game... However, it’s not that I’ll be putting myself under too much pressure... Nor will I put my team under excessive pressure... I realise one has to be disciplined and one must follow the process... The players are full of josh and committed to making a mark... Being the captain, I’m happy with that.

What’s the kind of captain you’ll be?

By nature, I’m very positive and, while on the field, I’m high on intensity... You’ve seen that... Those things won’t change... I’ve learnt from some of our best captains — Dada (Sourav Ganguly) and Mahi (Mahendra Singh Dhoni)... There are certain things that you tend to pick up.

Do you have a role model captain?

As I’ve said, I’ve learnt from Dada and Mahi... Then, my debut (in 2005) was under Rahulbhai (Dravid)... Dada was the fighter-type, not one to give up... Mahi stays calm... Rahulbhai had his own style.

Who makes a good captain?

Somebody who gets the team to bond together, somebody who is able to communicate... Also, somebody who has the respect of his players. Respect bahut zaroori hai. To top it all, he has to be able to deliver when the chips are down... Has to lead from the front. When a captain does that, it becomes easy for him to demand the same effort from teammates.

Has Dhoni given you tips?

He’s asked me to keep things simple... He said that I’d done well in IPL III (captaining the Chennai Super Kings), when he hadn’t been available for three matches.

Stephen Fleming heads the Super Kings’ support staff. Did you exchange captaincy-related notes with him?

I’d liked him as New Zealand’s captain... His advice would always be to be patient and not rush into things, particularly if the moves haven’t gone well ... Fleming would impart practical things... I’ve got a fair idea of captaincy and can assure you I’ll be doing an honest job.

Has there been any communication between the two of you after you got the India captaincy?

Fleming has sent me a ‘do well’ message.

The last one... I assume, in Zimbabwe, nobody will be seen anywhere close to a pub...

Nahin, nahin.

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Go back to domestic cricket : Ganguly to erring cricketers

Kolkata, May 14, 2010 : As one and all attempts to dissect the reasons for Team India's disastrous campaign at the 

Twenty-20 World Cup, one thing is clear that it is time for some drastic measures. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly felt that the erring cricketers should be sent back to the domestic circuit.

In an exclusive chat with Headlines Today India's one of the most successful captains said, "If the players are not performing, send them back to domestic cricket."

Dada's candid advice to the men in blue was simple: "If you are not performing, then get back to the basics."

It is time for the Indian stars to get a reality check as they cannot keep playing on past glories alone. The woeful campaign in the Caribbean laid bare for all to see the glaring flaws of our cricketers which should have been ironed out long before they reach the international level.

The fitness level of many of the cricketers has left a lot to be desired. The sloppy fielding throughout the championship showed the lethargy of unfit players. The technique employed by esteemed batsmen was highly questionable as well. They were completely bewildered by the short ball while throwing their wicket away seemed to become the norm for some.

At the same time, lack of discipline seemed to be another chronic affliction that needs to be urgently rectified.

Ganguly has the perfect cure for India's ailing stars. "A stint in domestic cricket will do India's struggling cricketers a world of good...its time to get back to the drawing board," he felt.

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Ganguly : Batsmen let India down

Date : 5/11/10

Former captain Sourav Ganguly blamed the batsmen for India's debacle in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event, Ganguly said, "Batting has been responsible for the team's failure. If you want to be champions, you got to bat like true champions.

He, however, did not read much into India's poor performance, saying the format is unpredictable. "These kind of ups and downs are very common in this format of the game," he said.

Following back-to-back losses to Australia and the West Indies in the Super Eight, Indians campaign in the World Twenty20 is all but over.

Welcoming the selectors' decision to rest seniors for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, Ganguly said, "It's a good move by selectors to rest key players for Zimbabwe tour.

"The much needed rest might come in handy especially after a long and hectic IPL apart, from the ongoing T20 world championship," he added.

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