Former Bengal captains want Sourav in KKR

Amidst the reports of Sourav Ganguly's possible release from Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL IV, former Bengal captains Sambaran Banerjee and Gopal Bose have said that the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise might lose its support base in Kolkata in absence of its most popular sporting icon.

"Sourav is the best option to lead KKR in the upcoming IPL. I don't understand the rumours about his possible release by the team management. It is really unnecessary and unwanted.

Team needs him the most," Sambaran Banerjee, a former national selector and under whom Ganguly made his first-class debut told PTI Bhasha from Kolkata.

There are rumours that KKR have decided to let Kolkata's favourite son be up for auctions and not retain him. More importantly, they won't retain any player although they are keen on retaining explosive West Indian opener Chris Gayle.

"If Sourav is not there, KKR will lose the sentimental attachment that people of Bengal share with the team.

"I doubt whether they will be able to attract good crowds during IPL matches if Sourav is not there. KKR will face a lot of problems in his absence," said the veteran who was instrumental in Ganguly's comeback in the Indian team in 1996.

Similarly another former captain and staunch Ganguly backer Gopal Bose, has said that Ganguly is to Bengal what like Sachin is for Mumbai.

"We cannot imagine the Mumbai team in the absence of Sachin.

Similarly Sourav is the face of Kolkata. He is the biggest sporting icon Bengal has ever produced. People are emotionally attached with him. The team management can conduct polls and more then 90 percent people will vote for Sourav," he said.

"He played well in the previous season and the most amazing part was his fielding."

Banerjee has said that Ganguly does not need to prove anything to anybody. He also hoped that KKR can reach the semi-final in the coming season under his captaincy.

"It was under Sourav's captaincy that we saw a transformation in the Indian team. He has brought the aggression in Indian team as well as in KKR. As far as past failures are concerned there were several other reasons for that. I hope that the team will reach the semi-final next season," he said.

Bose also blamed the team management's wrong decisions for past failures.

"Coach Buchanan (John) was the major factor. Players were feeling insecure during his tenure. Not having the desired start was the biggest problem for KKR. Team has improved a lot in the last season," he said.

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IPL 4: KKR cannot afford to drop Ganguly

New Delhi: When reports about the Kolkata Knight Riders deciding against retaining skipper Sourav Ganguly for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League first surfaced, the initial reaction was that of disbelief.

It was impossible to imagine a 'home' team taking the field at the Eden Gardens without the 'Prince of Kolkata' being a part of it. KKR, fans said, will lose its following and the so-called off-field success of the team will be dented like never before.

Agreed that the Knights have not touched the heights of glory in the last three seasons, but to blame the skipper for that is not just being unjust, but even being foolhardy. A closer look, however, at the decision to put Ganguly back in the players pool looks like a stroke of genius from the Kolkata team management.

If they had decided to retain Ganguly, the franchise would have had to pay him Rs 1.84 crore. Instead, they can now buy him afresh for a much lower price as Ganguly has been put in Grade C by the BCCI that fixes his base price at Rs 92 lakh.

Ganguly's performance in the IPL has been pretty decent, both with the bat and the ball. The team though hasn't clicked together as a unit and it is more to do with the team selection and availability of the players than just big names.

And with the initial three-year contract for the players out of the way, this is the best time to overhaul the team while keeping the costs low.

The only other team that may seriously consider giving Kolkata a challenge while bidding for Ganguly is the Sahara Pune Warriors.

The former Indian skipper relishes a challenge and still has the ability to turn it around everytime a question mark is put against his name.

Also, Sahara may want to cash in on the charisma of Ganguly, who has even started getting crucial match fitness by playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.

Ganguly too has said that he does not mind going under the hammer.

"My first choice will obviously be KKR, but yes, if the situation demands, I am open to playing for some other team. The bottomline is, I want to play the IPL because I think I have cricket left in me," he said.

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World Cup will be a different ball game: Ganguly

The new look Team India under Gautam Gambhir might be on a roll at the moment but it would be a different experience at the World Cup and a series in South Africa would be an ideal preparation, former India captain Sourav Ganguly said on Sunday. The ace left-hander also reitirated that his first preference will be Kolkata Knight Riders although the Ganguly would be up for auctions.

Talking to PTI on the sidelines of a function in Kolkata, Ganguly said, "It was nice to see India winning under new captain (Gautam) Gambhir. But World Cup will be a different experience. Every win is good for the team (to get the momentum)."

"We have a very tough away series in South Africa. It will give them an ideal preparation ahead of the big tournament (here in February-April next year). Indians are used to the playing condition here so I believe South Africa series will be very crucial. It's easier to come back from a tough tournament. I hope they do well in South Africa."

On the speculation that he might not be retained by the SRK-owned franchisee, Ganguly said: "I've played three years with them so obviously there is an attachment. KKR will be my first preference."

"But it does not depend on me. It's up to the franchisee, let's see what happens at the auction. I'm yet to have a word with Shah Rukh Khan on this.

"If I'm not retained then there is always an option of getting picked by any other team at the auction. But I am keen on playing the tournament... I believe there is some cricket left in me."

The Bombay High Court had earlier extended the date for IPL teams to submit list of retained players from December 6 to December 8.

Each IPL franchisee can sign up four players from its earlier season's squad.

Following his tremendous form in the ongoing series against New Zealand, Virat Kohli might have been seen as a future Indian captain but Ganguly said the Delhi youngster has to wait.

"It's too early to say that he can be a future Indian captain. With great cricketers like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir ahead of him, he has to wait."

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I'm open to play for some other team : Ganguly

CHENNAI: Sourav Ganguly arrived in Chennai on Tuesday morning and headed straight for practice at the Guru Nanak College ground. In the three sessions that he batted during the three-hour practice session, it never seemed that the left-hander hasn't played a competitive match for close to six months.

The ball kept hitting the middle of the bat as his fans kept celebrating every shot he played. After the practice session, Ganguly talked to TOI about his decision to play first-class cricket and his IPL future.

Excerpts from an interview:

Why did you decide to make a comeback to first-class cricket?

I always play two-three Ranji Trophy matches and the domestic one-dayers to keep myself fit for the IPL. This is a crucial game for Bengal and I thought this is the best time to get my cricket gear out.
But you said after the Delhi game last year that you won't play first-class cricket again...
No, I never said that. IPL is an extremely competitive format and if I do not play some serious cricket before that, I am bound to struggle. I want to ensure that I am fit and playing my best cricket when the event starts in a few months time.

There's a lot of talk that you may not be retained by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL4?

Shah Rukh Khan is not in India and I don't think that there has been any final decision taken on it. Yet, if I am not retained, there is always the option that I can be picked up from the auction.

Isn't that demeaning for a player of your stature, even more so, since you've built the team brick by brick?

Yes, I have a very strong emotional connect with this team. I love KKR and want this team to do well. And going by performance, I don't think I have done too badly either...

Would you be open to playing for some other team?

My first choice will obviously be KKR, but yes, if the situation demands, I am open to playing for some other team. The bottomline is, I want to play the IPL because I think I have some cricket left in me.

Courtesy :The Times Of India

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Bengal bank on Sourav !!

Calcutta: Surprises and shocks have been an integral part of Team Bengal in their Ranji Trophy campaign this season. While at times they have generated euphoria, on other occasions they have been as vicious as a sharp bouncer.

Otherwise how would you explain Bengal garnering points from tough away ties while goofing things up at their own den? Or think of the viral fever, which knocked out almost half of Bengal’s first XI before their last match…

And the mother of all surprises came on Monday when Sourav Ganguly decided to come out of his retirement (from first-class cricket) and pad up for Bengal’s crucial Group A tie against Tamil Nadu, in Chennai, beginning Wednesday. Lying fifth in the points table, the Manoj Tiwary-led side couldn’t have asked for a better dose of confidence-booster on the eve of the match.

Though officially it has been said that a final call on the final XI will be taken on Wednesday morning, team sources indicated that Sayan Sekhar Mondal may have to make way for the former India captain. Rookie wicket-keeper Geetemoy Basu is set to make his debut in the absence of Wriddhiman Saha (national duty) and Sreevats Goswami (fever). Pacer Ashok Dinda will be making a comeback after missing the last match, against Gujarat, with fever. Sourav Sarkar, in all probability, will have to sit out.

The pitch at the Gurunanak College Ground comes with the promise of runs. It will interesting to find out who opens the innings with Arindam Das in the absence of his regular partner Sreevats.

Bengal will also hope that coach Woorkeri Raman, who had been in charge of Tamil Nadu until last season, would play a key role in revealing the loopholes of the opposition.

“There’s no special feeling coming back to Chennai… Rather it’s a challenge because I know a lot about them (Tamil Nadu). But there’s no point talking about the opponents… We have a strong batting line-up and the inclusion of Sourav adds to our strength. But the players will have to give their best to earn the first innings lead,” said Raman.

The flip of the coin might decide who encashes the advantage of the conditions. Given the rich form that the Tamil Nadu batsmen are in, Tiwary would hope dearly that he wins the toss. The likes of Abhinav Mukund, K.B. Arun Karthik and S. Badrinath have been accumulating runs in centuries and if the hosts win the toss, chances are they will be successful in piling up a mountain of runs on a favourable pitch.

“Our batting will receive a huge boost with the presence of Sourav… Also I can get his tips regarding the captaincy. And if we can bowl the way we did in the last match, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t do well,” said Tiwary.

Without off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and opener Murali Vijay, Tamil Nadu’s main worry would be their bowling that has not clicked so far .

While forecasts threaten of possible rain interruptions, let’s hope that Bengal, riding the inspiration of Sourav’s presence, clear some of the clouds hovering over their chances of making it to the knockout round.

Courtesy :THE TELEGRAPH

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