The maharaja of Indian cricket-Saurav Ganguly.With the risk of inviting the wrath of Ganguly loyalists particularly Spacejunkie I proceed.
Saurav Ganguly has always spelt trouble (Well I would be happy if it was for the opposition but sadly well for India itself).I guess my dislike for him started in 1992 when I still recall he refused to take drinks as a 12 man to the fielders.Well of course we can glorify and call it self esteem.But hey everyone needs to make a humble beginning ok.Well the past is bygone but again when I saw him 1996 in lords I was like sure he would have learnt from his mistakes.He is great player no doubt but when great strokeplay is laced with arrogance you tend to get put off.
Finally as captain, I was sure he would prove to be a right choice. I felt he possessed a great killer instinct which would prove to be a boon for the sagging Indian team.But then again his aggression proved to be a trifle too much .He was constantly yelling at his teammates and leeting loose profanities like no tomorrow.I agree it would be cowardly to keep mum when opposition is raining not so kind words, but no not the captain.Everyone is aware why sledging is done , to disturb the concentration of the batman and isn’t it suicidal if you succumb to their tactics , lose your temper and then finally get out.I still recall that World cup quarterfinal in B’lore btw Indian and Pak , when Aamir Sohail after whacking Prasad pointed his bat to the boundary indiacting where he had despacted the ball.Prasad keeping mum , dismissed him the very next ball.That is true cricketing glory and the satisfaction is much more than just losing control.
Morover as a famous author puts it, ’Profanity shows lack of discipline and self control’, So how can a captain lack thses qualities?
As a team leader, he owes every responsibilty to keep them together , motivate them and lead from the front.Like Steve Waugh he commands respect , He is consistent and a very balanced and controlled captain.So are many others Jayasuriya, Nasser Hussain well Hansie Cronje too.Particularly his running between the wickets need to be checked before we crash.Today’s play was very disheartening , Dravid and kaif were both run out well thanx to the judgement of MR.ganguly.
Dravid said’’On the offside, first there is god then there is ganguly’’in an interview.Well Saurav remained the captain , the Maruti Esteem line seems the ideal motto’’There is always next time’’