Calcutta: Sourav Ganguly, India’s most successful Test captain, spent some time at the Eden on Tuesday afternoon, after a training session ahead of the Ranji match against Madhya Pradesh (beginning Thursday). Before leaving, Sourav spoke to The Telegraph for a few minutes.
Sourav, incidentally, had to tackle an unusual request: A constable wanted him to plead his case for promotion. “Aapni police commissioner (Ranjit Pachnanda) ke bole din... Hoye jabe...”
With the constable pestering him, Sourav had to say “dekhbo... bolbo.” But he also made it clear that it wouldn’t be proper for him to approach the city’s top cop.
The following are excerpts from the one-on-one at the Club House:
Thoughts after the first two days of the Eden Test
(Grins) India will win, with much to spare.
The current West Indies team
I don’t mean any disrespect, but it’s a weak side... It hasn’t been doing well... Having said that, it’s a young team and, so, should get better with experience.
If he would have enjoyed facing this West Indies attack
Haven’t thought about it... I retired (from international cricket) three years ago... Thinking about the attacks is something of the past.
Team India’s batting
Very good, but the yardstick has to be performing overseas. The biggest test is always away from home.
Rahul Dravid and V.V.S.Laxman holding centre stage
Oh, Rahul has had a great year... Away and, now, at home... Laxman... Well, what do I say about Laxman and Eden Gardens? He has a staggering record here.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s power-packed 144 on Tuesday
I liked his innings.
If Ravichandran Ashwin will keep veteran Harbhajan Singh out for a length of time
I won’t say that... In fact, if both are bowling well, then there would even be a case for both off-spinners to play at the same time... I mean, why not?
His take on quick Umesh Yadav
He’s got pace and he has started well, but it won’t be right to pass a judgement so soon. However, his seam position has improved a lot and that has caught my eye.
The Eden having a ghostly look on each of the first two days
It’s disappointing, but don’t forget that this Test is being played exclusively on weekdays, with no Saturday or Sunday involved... Also, had this West Indies team been stronger, then I assume the crowd would have been better.
If, as in England, all Tests should have a Thursday start in India
Yes, I’m for it... Let the Test matches start on Thursdays.
[Jagmohan Dalmiya, a former president of both the International Cricket Council and the Board, and the Board’s chief administrative officer, Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, hold the same view.]
On Sachin Tendulkar still waiting for his 100th international hundred
I don’t think he’s really conscious about it or that it’s weighing him down... Sachin’s played enough cricket... He’s mentally strong and has made a comeback (after an injury) in this series... He was batting particularly well at the Kotla last week and it’s only a matter of time before he gets that hundred.
Finally, on Sachin completing 22 years at the international level
Everything about Sachin has centred around numbers and records... I suppose 22 is just another number for him. He’s
been amazing.
© The Telegraph
