Ganguly gives selectors a hand

Sourav Ganguly may be playing his last international game in Nagpur, but it seems he continues to have an impact on the team for the future. Kris Srikkanth, India’s chief selector, has revealed that M Vijay, the Tamil Nadu debutant, was drafted into the Test squad after an endorsement from Ganguly.
“Sourav played with him in the India A match [against New Zealand last month] and he specifically told me that Vijay 'is a guy whom you have to look seriously’,” Srikkanth told Times of India. “I took his words very seriously because when a player of Ganguly’s wisdom endorses someone, he has to be special.

"Dav Whatmore [India A coach] too spoke highly of him and even my co-selectors, who saw him in the Challenger Series, were very impressed.” Srikkanth said Vijay’s strong domestic performance also mattered a lot in his surprise selection for the Australia Test and the ODI series against England that follows.

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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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Sourav on the ball - Star spectator at football film shoot

Date : 4/27/10

He started out as a promising footballer idolising the likes of Surajit Sengupta till he began caressing the cricket ball through the covers and then went on to become the most successful captain of Team India.

IPL 3 over and done with, Sourav Ganguly on Monday turned back the clock and turned up to watch a slice of soccer action being played out for the cameras.

Tollygunge Club is where Egaro, a Bengali film on Mohun Bagan’s historic IFA Shield win over East Yorkshire in 1911, was being shot and that’s where the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper stepped out of his BMW around 4pm.

Dressed in a striped tee, denims and casual flip flops, he was in no mood to talk cricket. But when Metrokicked off with soccer, he was happy to play ball. “Every Bengali kicks a football.... I have watched a lot of matches at the Mohun Bagan ground. They used to start from 4pm and I would go straight from school. My father (Chandi Ganguly) had a life membership card which I would use,” smiled Sourav, a can of cola in hand.

So, who were his favourite footballers on the Maidan? “Loads of them…Surajit Sengupta, (late) Krishanu Dey, Prasun Banerjee...” And in world soccer? “Maradona.”

What brought Sourav to the Egaro shoot was the presence of producer Anilava Chatterjee, one of the men behind Dadagiri Unlimited, the superhit game show hosted by Bengal’s favourite sportsman.

As he mingled with the cast — that includes thespian Soumitra Chatterjee’s 19-year-old grandson Ranadip Basu — and director Arun Roy, the boy from Behala wanted to know: “1911 shaley ki footballerder khali paye khelte hoto (Did the footballers play barefoot in 1911)?”

The 37-year-old was on firmer footing when he finally did face a few deliveries on cricket. Would he, like Sachin Tendulkar, play IPL 4? “Yes, yes, of course. I will play for another two years,” he stressed. And in KKR colours? “It will depend on the auction rules. But hopefully it will be KKR,” smiled Sourav.

Finally, what about the Lalit Modi mess? “I am not a part of it,” was the dead-bat reply.

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John awaits Sourav nod

Date : 4/26/10

Calcutta: If Sourav Ganguly gives the thumbs up, John Wright will suggest to New Zealand’s Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) that a scholarship be offered, with both their names, to a youngster from this city.

“Obviously, Sourav has to agree... If he does, I’ll be only too happy to suggest that SIT institutes a Calcutta-specific scholarship... That would be a wonderful way to continue an association,” Wright told The Telegraph on Saturday.

Wright (a former New Zealand captain and India coach) is a brand ambassador for SIT, which has its main campus in Invercargill. It has already committed itself to handing out five scholarships, in Wright’s name, to Indians.

Should there be one exclusively for the city, then it would be scholarship No.6.

Wright and Sourav, India’s most successful Test captain, formed an excellent partnership, from November 2000 till April 2005, and continue to be on “very good terms.”

“Hopefully, I’ll be meeting Sourav tomorrow (Sunday)... It will be nice to catch up with him once again,” Wright pointed out, after a SIT promotional.

Each scholarship is worth NZ $ 14,000-18,000. Accommodation and food isn't covered, though.

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Dada 2nd most popular, just after Sachin ..!!

Date : 4/22/10

NEW DELHI : Sachin Tendulkar emerged as the most searched Indian cricketer, followed by Sourav Ganguly among the players in the third edition of Indian Premier League.

Google India, announced its second IPL Zeitgeist for 2010 - an insight into the most searched teams and players during the third season of the Indian Premier League.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne continued to be the most searched international player at the IPL, for the second year running.

Conspicuous by their absence were popular names such as MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and 'the Fake IPL Player', who moved off the top 10 this year. Adam Gilchrist, Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar made their debut on the list at number 7, 8 and 9 respectively.

Among the teams, Deccan Chargers ousted the Mumbai Indians from the top slot, who emerged as a close second. Chennai Super Kings rounded up the top three teams, as Kolkata Knight Riders dropped to number 4 this year.

'Super Over' emerged as the most searched IPL related query on YouTube followed by Chennai Super Kings. Yusuf Pathan, who did not make it to the IPL Zeitgeist on Google Search, emerged as the most searched player on YouTube.

To compile the 2010 IPL Zeitgeist, Google studied the aggregation of queries pertaining to IPL that people typed into Google search during the IPL season 3. We used data from multiple sources, including Insights for Search, Google Trends and internal data tools. We also filtered out spam and repeat queries to arrive to a list which captured the essence of the series. All of the search queries we studied are anonymous - no personal information was used.

The list:

1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Sourav Ganguly
3. Shane Warne
4. Yuvraj Singh
5. Rahul Dravid
6. Brett Lee
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Ryan Harris
9. Praveen Kumar
10. Harbhajan Singh

SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/iplarticleshow/5844515.cms

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Sourav happy to prove critics wrong

Date : 4/19/10

KOLKATA : Sourav Ganguly has answered critics innumerable times with sterling displays on the field. And he'll do it again. Every time he has been perceived to be struggling, he has hit back, mostly with his bat and on a few occasions with words.

On Saturday, he decided to use both. After his match-winning unbeaten 50-ball 75 against the Rajasthan Royals, the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper fired a salvo at the media: "A few people are trying to pull me down," he said.

He refused to elaborate, but went on to add that he continues to play because he feels he is good enough. "This is what I had said a week ago and I am saying the same thing now. I feel I have been good enough. I have worked hard for 6-7 months on my fitness and I am honest with my training," Ganguly said, perhaps trying to send a message to critics. With the ball not coming on to the bat, the going was always going to be difficult, despite the small target. "The ball was stopping and turning, but then we played some outstanding cricket," he explained the rationale behind KKR's cautious approach after losing McCullum.

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Dav Whatmore: Emotions are understandable... - Captain Sourav’s post-match blast is the talking point

Date : 4/12/10

Bangalore/Calcutta : The talking point on Sunday wasn’t the Kings XI Punjab’s upset win over the Delhi DareDevils, but Sourav Ganguly’s blast after the Kolkata Knight Riders got slain in Bangalore.

The Bofors-like treatment may either spur the Knights on to produce their best cricket, against the Chennai SuperKings, on Tuesday, or send morale crashing further.

It’s rare for top guns to give their players such a tongue lashing in public, but one can appreciate Sourav’s frustration. To be beaten black-and-blue after 100 for one in the 11th over would be difficult for most captains to accept.

Certainly not one whose passion is never concealed.

“We suffered a big loss (by seven wickets, with almost three overs to spare)... Some emotions were shown, which is perfectly understandable,” the Knights’ coach, Dav Whatmore, told The Telegraph.

Speaking before leaving for Chennai, he added: “It’s not a blame game (situation)... The way forward is to improve in the areas we didn’t do well against the Royal Challengers Bangalore...

“We should definitely have got more than 160 for nine... We ought to have bowled much better and, yes, been far better in the field, too. Having said all that, Bangalore played very well.”

Whatmore emphasised that his bowlers needed to bowl “enough good balls.” As he put it: “Good balls may get hit, that has to be understood... The point, really, is bowling a high percentage of good balls... We just didn’t do that...”

Ashok Dinda was again impressive, but everybody else got clobbered. Ishant Sharma and Ajantha Mendis were the biggest culprits.

Clearly, their profligacy left Sourav incensed, prompting him to declare: “I can talk, lift them up, but they need to lift themselves.”

That bit was rather restrained. What wasn’t went as follows: “We played good cricket for the first 10 overs, but for the next 30 (actually 27.1), were absolutely rubbish... If we continue this way, then we don’t deserve to be in the semi-finals...”

To entertain hopes of making that stage in IPL III, the Knights have to win all the three matches which remain. “Well, yes, it has got tougher,” Whatmore acknowledged.

What’s perplexing is that a place isn’t there for Shane Bond in every match. Having invested so much — $750,000 being the publicised amount — the franchise should, ideally, be looking to squeeze every cent out of him.

Also, the quality of the domestic players is being questioned for the umpteenth time.

The role of Wasim Akram, the bowling coach-cum-mentor, too, is under the scanner in some quarters. It wasn’t many days ago that the bowlers failed to defend even 200 and, on Saturday, came the appalling show in Bangalore.

To be fair to Akram, he can’t bowl for the Ishants.

Bought for $950,000 in the first auction, in 2008, Ishant is yet to script a match-winning performance. Indeed, in 31 appearances over three seasons, the quick has managed no more than 25 wickets.

Once the hottest property among new-ball bowlers, Ishant is today sans all confidence.

The Royal Challengers, by the way, were relieved they didn’t have to chase, say, 181. A senior pro explained: “Twenty more may not look that many, but it changes the mood in the dressing room... Believe me, it’s a significant jump in a T20 match.”

While on the Royal Challengers, Ranganath Vinay Kumar walked away with the MoM award and Robin Uthappa truly sizzled, but no less a hero was the utterly classy Rahul Dravid.

No surprise, then, that Dravid was besieged for autographs and photographs during a very late meal, with a couple of friends from Calcutta, at the ITC Royal Gardenia’s Cubbon Pavilion.

“T20 is to be enjoyed,” Dravid pointed out, tucking into an Indonesian preparation. A packed house at the Chinnaswamy certainly did.

Dravid, incidentally, clarified that he isn’t on Twitter. Somebody, therefore, is misusing his name.

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Ganguly blames poor death bowling for defeat

March 16,2010

Sourav Ganguly has put down Kolkata Knight Riders' comprehensive defeat against Chennai Super Kings to poor bowling at the death and the loss of early wickets in the chase. Kolkata, playing at home, were in a strong position after taking three wickets - Matthew Hayden, M Vijay and Suresh Raina - in the first 10 overs. But MS Dhoni and S Badrinath retaliated with an unbeaten 109-run stand to push their team to 164, which their bowlers defended with ease.

"We were not up to the mark in last five overs, gave away 60-odd runs. Then we kept losing wickets in run chase. We have to address that. Last four-five overs (of the Chennai innings) took the game away from us," Ganguly said after his team's first defeat in the tournament.
Dhoni and Badrinath began their surge in the 15th over, when Angelo Mathews was struck for a boundary over short fine leg and a massive six over long-on. The last six overs of the Chennai innings yielded 83. "We'll talk about our death bowling, but you have to give credit to Dhoni for the shots he played," Ganguly said.

When asked if Kolkata missed a fifth bowler, he said: "We have five bowlers with Brad Hodge and Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Probably we could have bowled Hodge a few more overs."
The Kolkata reply, too, was lacklustre. They lost their two star batsmen from the previous game, Brad Hodge and Manoj Tiwary, within the two overs, and their middle order, including Ganguly, offered little resistance as Kolkata were shot out for 109. "We played too many shots up the order and kept losing wickets. Hopefully, we'll learn from this and come back a better team," Ganguly said.

Dhoni, despite the thumping win, expected more from his bowlers in the games to follow. "We were worried about our bowling both with the new ball and at the death," he said. "I still think a couple of our bowlers were a little short with their length and on a slow track like this you can be punished. It's an area which needs improvement, but it feels good to have a victory under the belt."

The slowish nature of the track, Dhoni said, ensured a score of above 150 was going to be difficult to chase. "You are always under pressure in this format of the game, but we always felt a total of 150 would be a good score on this wicket because it was on the slower side."

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Dada attributes KKR's win to youth's contribution !!

Date: March 14, 2010

Kolkata, Mar 14 (PTI) : Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly today attributed his team's dramatic turnaround in the third Indian Premier League to the useful contributions of the youngsters.



Bottom-placed in the last season, Kolkata Knight Riders have notched up successive wins in the first two ties in IPL III and Ganguly said it is important that everyday someone chips in for the team.



"I don't know the secret of our success. We are playing well in this format of the game that's important for us. It's important that somebody stands out in the game, that's been happening," Ganguly told reporters after their seven-wicket win over last season's runners up Royal Challengers Bangalore.



"Angelo (Mathews) played brilliantly in the last game and today it was Manoj (Tiwary), (Brad) Hodge and Angelo again ...Somebody is delivering for the team which is very good.

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Ganguly's swipe at Buchanan

Date: March 14, 2010



Trust the John Buchanan controversy to crop up on a day when Sourav Ganguly led KKR to an emphatic win on home turf today. After the Knights’ second win on the trot, skipper Ganguly spelt out that one of the key secrets behind the team’s rousing start to IPL-3 is the good atmosphere in the dressing room. “Atmosphere, staff, players — these are the factors behind our success this season. Atmosphere is a key thing if you want the players to do well. This game is about playing freely.

When there’s atmosphere, you have your players playing freely and the team eventually does well,” Ganguly said after the match. Although Ganguly didn’t take any names, his mention of good atmosphere being necessary for team’s performance could be seen as an indirect reminder of the troubled times the former Indian captain has had with coach John Buchanan in the last edition of IPL.

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There is no enmity with Sourav, says Buchanan

Date: March 14, 2010


Calcutta: John Buchanan has wished the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) “good luck” and said that the wins at the start of IPL III have given the “new regime credibility.”

“The results allow them to begin to move beyond last season... I wish KKR good luck... Like all teams, they will have some interesting selections once all players become available,” Buchanan, removed as the KKR coach last summer, told The Telegraph, on Sunday evening.

A couple of days earlier, the Brisbane-based Buchanan had spoken at length about IPL III. He remains very disappointed, though.

The following are excerpts

Your take on the IPL’s third edition?

A If the 2008 results can be used as a guide, teams should be capable of scoring higher totals than in South Africa — at least for the first two-thirds of the tournament. After which, all teams in the running begin to tighten up with the prospect of making the finals. A fact that will work against higher scores is that there has been significantly more 20-over cricket played around the world since IPL 2009. We have, for example, seen Australia employ a three/four-pronged pace attack to take early wickets and, thereby, limiting opposition chases or restricting the opposition from setting a big target. While Indian conditions will not be as conducive as in Australia or New Zealand, a new white ball delivered at pace will still trouble the less skilled top order batsmen. So, teams which employ a quality top order line-up should be able to counter such attacks, capitalise on less formidable bowling and provide a strong platform for bigger scoring.

Do you expect IPL III to be bigger than the first two editions?

There has been plenty of hype overseas, at least in Australia and New Zealand... The discussion concerning the next two franchises would seem to have been a good tool to heighten interest; India’s and Sachin Tendulkar’s performances would also suggest that an Indian public will want to see more of their superstars, no matter whom they turn out for... Also, simply the fact that the IPL has returned to India can only suggest that this edition will draw significant interest.
If you were still an IPL coach, would your own approach have been any different?
It would have changed slightly due to the return to India. However, we had initiated a long-term plan in terms of how we wanted to play the game and, while that had taken some time to deliver in 2009, the groundwork was done... It would have been an ideal opportunity (at KKR) to keep building upon the huge amount of work done behind the scenes.

What’s the No.1 lesson for the franchises to learn from the first two editions?

There is no question that wickets matter, particularly early wickets. There is no question that partnerships are crucial to big scores and these can start at any stage during an innings, but preferably in the first 10 overs, to allow the rest of the line-up to continue to bat without fear. And, provided you can have a pair of skilful players at the end, 12-15 runs per over average is very achievable.

Your assessment of the eight teams, beginning with the Deccan Chargers, last year’s champions...

Deccan Chargers: Plenty of experience and confidence will have been gained from last season’s win. Adam Gilchrist is another year older as well as another year without cricket. However, I think he will still perform and is still their best leader... Kemar Roach is an exciting signing and, with the rest, makes it a potent attack. Any side that boasts of Andrew Symonds and Herschelle Gibbs on top of Gilchrist can mount any score... Rohit Sharma will need to take greater responsibility this year. Similarly, Pragyan Ojha will need to win games with the ball... No home games will be an issue for Deccan, which may cost them not only financially, but also a place in the finals. Should, however, be in the top four.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: An exciting looking team with a real mixture of age and skills... Will be interesting to see how Anil Kumble handles the tournament, but if he stays fit and continues to lead the team as he has done, it will be a huge plus for Bangalore... Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher will bring continued experience to the team, with Kallis a key member. Bangalore have the best group of young Indian players, headed by Virat Kohli... Add the excellent 20-over players like Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Cameron White and Roelof van der Merwe and there is exceptional depth. Should make the final.

Delhi DareDevils: Delhi have remained relatively unchanged apart from Moises Henriques and Wayne Parnell as overseas inclusions... There is little doubt that their batting looks far stronger than their bowling with Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, Tillekaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Karthik all proven 20-over performers. Dirk Nannes will head their bowling... The ability to keep teams in check will fall on Amit Mishra and Daniel Vettori... Eric Simons has been added to the coaching staff, to assist Greg Shipperd, but I am not too sure how that will work. Delhi have promised a lot over the first two seasons, but have not delivered at the business end. Hopefully, this experience will be a boon for them, not an anchor. Will be on the edge of making the finals.

Chennai Super Kings: Even with Andrew Flintoff and Jacob Oram out injured, Chennai have a formidable outfit. Batting-wise Matthew Hayden, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mike Hussey (after a couple of weeks), Suresh Raina... It is one of the strongest in the competition. Then, the bowlers will present a varied attack to meet most conditions... Stephen Fleming brings a calm and cool approach, which will be important. Should be in the top four, again.

Kings XI Punjab: Here is a side that can do anything — good and bad. Now that Tom Moody has retired from his WACA coaching position to concentrate on his IPL role, I think it will make a big difference to him and, ultimately, Kings XI. The physio, Patrick Farhat, will be critical to the success of the team as he battles to get Brett Lee fit and firing his thunderbolts, plus dealing with persistent hamstring injuries to Yuvraj Singh, Shaun Marsh and James Hopes... Kumar Sangakkara taking over from Yuvraj will be only good for Kings XI as they will get the onfield leadership needed at crucial times, while freeing Yuvraj to play his natural game. With a fit Lee, Sreesanth and the others will become a more potent bowling force. Batting is the potential Achilles heel of Kings XI as evidenced in the past and they have gone some way towards addressing that with Ravi Bopara being available for the entire IPL... Mohammed Kaif has been added... The key to Kings XI being in the finals will be the batting of Yuvraj, firstly, as also Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene firing. I am hoping Yuvraj wants to send a message to the Indian selectors that he is not only a batsman of class, but also responsibility. If this message is unambiguously sent, then Kings XI should make the final.

Rajasthan Royals: Any side that features Shane Warne, even an ageing Warne, will always present themselves with a chance. He controls his troops very well and still delivers on the stage he likes to play on the most. The Royals have given themselves some firepower with Shaun Tait, who with Shane Watson (once available), Morne Morkel and Munaf Patel gives the attack some real grunt and intimidation. Old friend Damien Martyn is a good buy for 20-over cricket and, together with Graeme Smith, Watson and Yusuf Pathan, will be the backbone of the batting... The Royals have cast aside a number of younger players and brought in some new faces. Of those that have remained, Royals will be hoping for improved and more consistent performances from ’keeper Naman Ojha and Siddharth Trivedi, to name two. The Royals will always be in contention and cause some unexpected results.

Mumbai Indians: With a new coaching team of Robin Singh and local Paras Mhambrey, supported by Jonty Rhodes and Shaun Pollock, it will be interesting to see whether they can bring out the consistency that the side lacked in the first two years. Bowling is Mumbai’s strong suit with Zaheer Khan leading the charge, backed up by Lasith Malinga and the rest. Spin and slow/medium bowling is well looked after by Harbhajan Singh, Abhishek Nayar, JP Duminy, Sanath Jayasuriya (who is in his 41st year!)... It is the batting — a factor in previous tournaments — which is of concern and I do not see Jayasuriya being as effective in 2010. Much will hinge on Sachin Tendulkar, who has not shown a great liking for this game. A lot will be expected from the young players like Shikhar Dhawan and Saurabh Tiwary... I think it may be another frustrating year for the Ambanis and the Indians.

Kolkata Knight Riders: A new coach, new captain, some new support staff and players, new colours... Gives KKR a new look... I think KKR will benefit from the work that was put in last season, so there is little doubt that they will improve on their showing in 2009. Although there is no Umar Gul, the bowling, as always, looks strong. Shane Bond provides additional pace with Charl Langeveldt, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and Ajit Agarkar there. Sourav Ganguly suggests two new men, Eklakh Ahmed and Varun Aaron, are both fast, which will be of good support to the frontliners... There is a great array of medium pace and spin through Angelo Mathews, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Sourav, Murali Kartik, Ajantha Mendis and Chris Gayle... Batting has been the real downfall of KKR, which is hard to fathom when it is headed by almost an all-star cast of Gayle, Brendon McCullum (when both become available), Sourav, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mathews... Add the others and you can get a total almost out of reach... I would like to tip KKR for the finals, but I think that will be just beyond their reach in 2010.

Today, do you regret having removed Sourav Ganguly as the captain, in 2009?

I had very clear plans for how KKR was to play its cricket... I was always open with this approach to Sourav and the owners. While, initially, I had the support of the owners, Sourav did not agree. I do not believe there to be any enmity between Sourav and I... We had different opinions on how the game was to be played and, therefore, his role in that. The owners chose to change their minds about how I saw the long-term plan for KKR, obviously influenced by our poor results in South Africa. While that is definitely their prerogative as they are carrying the financial weight of the franchise, I remain disappointed at not being able to finish a job that had only just started some 14 months before...

What would be your message for successor Dav Whatmore?

Continue to build on the work that has already been done.

Just how closely will you be following KKR’s fortunes?

Very closely, as I still have a lot of people with whom I stay in contact within Calcutta and in the team.

Any comments on KKR buying out Ricky Ponting...

No... That was business between Ponting and his management and KKR. However, I think it was an obvious decision for both parties.

Could we see you in any role in the 2011 IPL?

As stated, I remain disappointed at not being able to finish something I had just started. So, I would definitely be keen on a coaching role, or something similar, with any franchise.

Finally, looking back, were you (a) misunderstood or (b) did you actually go about certain things in an insensitive manner?

I am not sure how I could have been misunderstood as I spent a lot of time with the owners, Sourav and the other key people, explaining to them about the long-term picture and how we needed to build solid foundations to reap success down the track. I am sure I have been insensitive at times, due to different cultural norms, sometimes my style and means of communication... However, while trying to avoid such situations always, I think we all step on toes at different times in our dealings with other people — not intended, but it happens. Irrespective of my dismissal from KKR, I would hope that everyone knew my intentions for KKR were always to make it the best it could be. The means to achieve this vision was where the final disagreement lay.

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We need improvement in fielding: Ganguly

Date: March 12, 2010



Mumbai, Mar 12 (PTI) Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly was happy to start their Indian Premier League campaign on a winning note, but said they need improvements in the fielding front in the coming matches.

"We've got some improvements to make, fielding is such an area. We dropped Adam (Gilchrist) twice and we were lucky to win from there," Ganguly said after the match.

The Knight Riders skipper also praised Angelo Mathews and Owais Shah from pulling the team out of the pit in the match, which they won by 11 runs against the defending champions.

"Owais and Mathews batted outstandingly to take us to 161. We were ordinary for the first 10 overs in both innings but pulled back in the last 10 overs," Ganguly said.

"We thought, 150 to 160 will be good total for them, but Gilchrist batted outstandingly.

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No favourites in Twenty20 ~ Sourav Ganguly

Date: March 11, 2010

This is the third season of the Indian Premier League and it really makes one wonder how quickly time flies. It still seems just the other day that this mega-event got rolling. We are ready to play the first game of the new season and the boys are all geared up, mentally and physically. The first game of a tournament is always crucial from various aspects and we are raring to make a strong start.

We face Deccan Chargers, last year's winners, in our first match. Though they are the defending champions I'm pretty sure they will have to start from scratch, like any other team, in this tournament. The simple reason is that the Twenty20 format has no favourites - you can have no one claiming that they will walk out and maintain a winning streak.

The Deccan's four overseas cricketers are Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Chaminda Vaas and the captain, Adam Gilchrist. That's some fire-power in that line-up! Gilly and company must be happy to be playing their home matches away from Hyderabad because they have a horrible record at home. They have won none of the nine matches [including the Champions League] they played at their original home, which would have definitely had a bearing on their mind had they been playing there this year. Maybe the change of residence will bring Gilchrist's team better luck in the new season.

The DY Patil Stadium is a treat for the eye. I have never seen it before, leave alone played here, and I was pleasantly surprised by its appearance and was even more astonished when I was informed that it is owned by a university. It definitely qualifies as one of the world's best cricket stadiums.

I am sure there will be an electrifying atmosphere during our first game. The wicket has been re-laid, the person in charge of the 22 yards is a former India player and my one-time team-mate Abey Kuruvilla. I am sure he will give us a wicket with just the right kind of bounce and carry to facilitate both the fast bowlers and the stroke-makers.

Twenty20 is generally considered a feast of runs, with nothing much for the bowlers. A good 22 yards, with even pace and bounce, at times balances the contest. The first sighting of the pitch indicates that there will be nothing much for the spinners.

We do have an attack that can exploit any given condition. There is a group of fast bowlers who, I am sure, will generate pace on any sort of wicket. As a captain I am looking to them to provide early breakthroughs.

We have prepared well for this year's tournament. We practised all year round and have proceeded carefully in spotting a few talented Indian youngsters. Much effort has gone into polishing them so I am looking forward to the Indian players to deliver this IPL. The likes of Manoj Tiwary, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and Murali Kartik have a fantastic platform to showcase their talent, put across to the selectors how good they are and make a name and a career for themselves.

For the start of the new IPL season we have the services of Brad Hodge, Owais Shah, Charl Langeveldt, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis and Mashrafe Mortaza. We will be joined shortly by Chris Gayle, Shane Bond and David Hussey. It really will be tough for the team management to decide what would be the best combination of foreign players for us. But it is a situation we don't mind - the more the merrier.

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Talk Less n More Action ~ Sourav

Date: March 10, 2010



On the eve of the opening clash against Deccan Chargers, Sourav Ganguly made his point straightaway that the best way to progress is by "executing" and not wasting time "planning." The Kolkata Knight Riders captain felt there was no point dissecting the past, and the better alternative was to go out and play. It was trademark Ganguly - he did not spell out his enemy, but he made his point, subtly, leaving no doubts in anyone's mind as to what he was referring to.

Ganguly, along with the new coach Dav Whatmore and the entire Kolkata management have been working hard on an entirely new platform, which from the outset has been more transparent and importantly, simpler, compared to the Sudoku grid John Buchanan had asked the squad to solve in order to excel in Twenty20 cricket. Ganguly hasn't forgotten the confusion and controversy that was created in the first two years of the IPL, but as the team's seniormost player, he understands he cannot afford to create any further haze when his primary job is to lead the team in the right direction.

"One needs to plan, especially when you are on the park. But I believe in execution. I don't believe in too many ideas or team meetings," Ganguly said, with a stern face, after a two-hour long training session at the Bandra-Kurla Complex ground. "I believe planning is 10% and execution 90%."

So batsmen played with straight, slanting and even upside-down bats as Whatmore offered them the freedom and space to understand what they were doing. At the other end, Wasim Akram mentored the bowlers including Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Mashrafe Mortaza and Jaydev Unadkat, the Under-19 bowler. Clearly, there was a sea change in the way the training session went about in the past.

In the first two years, various coaches would be spotted, busy noting down various things, just like a nurse records a patient's heartbeat, pulse etc. The paraphernalia was conspicuously absent today, replaced by more word-of-mouth signals, creating a different kind of buzz. "I would like to leave the player to play to his strengths. That's how everybody has played and been successful. Maybe you can just tell them the amount of runs needed on the board or what has to be chased," Ganguly said. "Other than that, if I keep changing (the player's style) at this minute, it's not going to help."

While the majority of the teams managed to devise the right processes, along with the right combinations in the first two years of the IPL, Kolkata were affected by a lack of clarity. As a consequence they have underperformed in first two editions. Still, there is hope. Ask Adam Gilchrist, the Deccan Chargers captain, who said he could relate to his opponent's circumstances as he had been in the same spot that Kolkata now find themselves in: bottom of the barrel.

"I know that feeling. I've started the tournament like that before," Gilchrist said, denying the opening clash of the IPL tomorrow was a mismatch considering Deccan, the defending champions, are playing last year's wooden-spoon holders. "I don't think you can take it for granted that there are any mismatches in the tournament. Everyone starts afresh."

Ganguly has been stressing the same in his interactions with the squad, out in the open and behind closed doors. It is now up to the players to go out and express themselves.

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DADA shines but Tamil Nadu retain title

Date: March 2, 2010

New Delhi: Sourav Ganguly may have retired from international cricket but he continues to make an impact in his rare appearances on the domestic circuit.
Ganguly made an eye catching 74 in just 66 balls for Bengal in the final of the Vijay Hazare trophy in Ahmedabad.

Bengal ended up on the losing side in a high scoring final, ending on 350 for 8 in their 50 overs in reply to Tamil Nadu's massive total of 379 for 6.

Ganguly hit seven fours and three sixes in his innings while Shreevats Goswami and Anustup Majumdar. It was Tamil Nadu's fourth limited overs domestic title.

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~Ganguly bets big on KKR attack~

Date: March 4, 2010

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly believes the team's strong bowling lineup may help turn their fortunes around in the third season of the IPL. Having finished sixth and last in the last two editions Ganguly felt the pace arsenal, led by New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, would be crucial for a turnaround.

"We will be getting the services of Shane Bond from the second match," Ganguly said. "His raw pace can make a lot of difference. There is Ishant Sharma, who is a current India player. We have a seasoned campaigner in Ajit Agarkar. I wouldn't count Eklak Ahmid out as he is a left-arm pacer. Left-arm pacers have done quite well in the IPL. Eklak brings in the necessary variation. We have a good prospect in Varun Aaron, who can bowl at 90 miles per hour."

Ganguly, who was speaking at Eden Gardens after a practice session on Thursday, said he had almost finalised the composition of the squad for the first match against Deccan Chargers on March 12, also the tournament opener. "I have a fair idea about the kind of squad we would take to Mumbai for the first match. We will have a couple of practice matches before we take a final call."

He felt it would be difficult to choose four foreign players for the matches. "When you have players like Chris Gayle, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Angelo Mathews and Ajantha Mendis in your ranks, it becomes a difficult choice." He was also unsure about his batting position - whether he would open or bat one-drop. "Throughout my international career, I have mostly opened or batted at No. 3," Ganguly said. "Though I haven't decided, it will be either opening or at No. 3."

Manoj Tiwary, a new recruit, Ashok Dinda and Wriddhiman Saha are involved in the Deodhar Trophy and will not be available for the KKR preparatory camp but Ganguly said he wasn't too bothered. "It's always good to play matches," he said. "They will get some serious match practice in the process."

He also said that the form of Saha and Dinda was not a worrying factor. "Wriddhi, in fact, batted well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy," Ganguly said. "But he is batting way down at No. 6 whereas he should be batting up the order. Laxmi [Ratan Shukla] is bowling pretty well but he also needs to score runs. Dinda did pretty well. But we played mostly on good batting wickets where the batsman made good use of the Powerplay overs.

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Ganguly wants Sachin to receive the Bharat Ratna

Date : 3/5/10

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly is the newest member of the cricket fraternity to demand the Bharat Ratna for batting Maestro Sachin tendulkar. Ganguly said that Sachin most definitely deserves the award, which is the country's highest civilian honour.

"Sachin is a Bharat ratna. There is no doubt that he should be conferred the Bharat Ratna award," Ganguly told reporters. every single cricket lover in India, including top politicians have demanded for the same. But the Maestro himself remains grounded, he says that he still has a long way to go before he receives the award. "Bharat Ratna is the biggest honour for any citizen of India. There are heroes bigger than me who have got this award, and who would not want to be in that league. It will be a matter of pride if I get Bharat Ratna," he said.

Tendulkar is not aiming to get any more awards, and is only focusing on accumulating more runs in all forms of the game, and winning matches for India. "I don’t want to think about it, I just want to play. If I have to get the award, I will, but I don’t want to think about it," he said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and even the Bal Thackeray led Shiv Sena have said that Sachin deserves to be given the Bharat Ratna. Former captains Kapil Dev and Ajit Wadekar referred to Sachin as the Kohinoor of cricket. "Sachin is the Kohinoor diamond of the game of cricket. This cricketer has unmatched talent and you can’t find another Tendulkar ever. I think, he should have got the Bharat Ratna," Wadekar said. "Sachin has touched several milestones during his 20-year career in the international cricket. He certainly deserves the Bharat Ratna.

We will be very happy if he gets the highest honour of the country," Kapil said. "Even if Sachin would have got a duck in this innings, still I would say that he deserves the honour. No decision should be taken on the basis of performance in one match, but I am keeping in mind his overall contribution," he added. "If any player deserves the Bharat Ratna, it must be Tendulkar. He must get the award," former captain and former selection committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar said.

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Sourav : Need to work on errors For the Quarters vs saurashtra

FEB 23,2010 , Calcutta: Sourav Ganguly is confident Bengal team will perform well in the National One-dayers for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The former India captain, who practised with his statemates for the past couple of days at Eden Gardens, feels that Bengal is a better one-day side compared to their performance in the longer format.

“Our performance during the past couple of seasons has been pretty good. That shows that we have been a better one-day side.

“There is no reason why we can’t repeat our performance,” Sourav told reporters after the training session on Monday.

Bengal have been runners-up for the past two years.

They lost the 2007-08 edition’s final to Saurashtra while during the last edition it was Tamil Nadu who emerged victorious.

The Bengal squad will be leaving for Vadodara on Tuesday where they will play Saurashtra in the quarter finals on Thursday.

The Bengal team has directly earned a last eight berth by virtue of being the last season’s finalist.

Asked about the team’s two loss at the zonal one-dayers, Sourav said: “We didn’t field well as a few catches went abegging.

“We have to make sure that we don’t repeat our mistakes at the knock-out level,” he added.

Vice-captain Manoj Tiwary, who was back among runs during the Orissa match with a fluent 86, also feels that team has learnt from the mistakes during the Cuttack leg.

“We have a balanced side with a nice blend of youth and experience.

“I am really confident that this time also we won’t disappoint,” Tiwary said.

If one goes by the practice sessions, it is almost certain that two seniors Arindam Das and Sourasish Lahiri will be back in the playing XI against Saurashtra.

While Arindam will be Sreevats Goswami’s opening partner, Sourasish will replace Iresh Saxena as the team’s specialist spinner.

The inclusion of Sourasish will also bolster the team’s batting in the lower-middle order.

The senior offie can also be promoted up the order as a pinch-hitter according to the requirements of the team.

Sourav will be coming in at No. 3 where he will get ample opportunity to make use of the PowerPlays if one of the openers is dismissed cheaply.

Manoj and skipper Laxmi Ratan Shukla will come in at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively with Wriddhiman Saha coming in at No. 7.

Meanwhile, in Vadodara, former champions Saurashtra beat Uttar Pradesh by seven wickets in a pre-quarter-final match.

Chasing a modest UP target of 204, Saurashtra won with 57 balls to spare.

Opener Sagar Jogiyani scored an unbeaten 102 while veteran Sitanshu Kotak struck an unbeaten 69.

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