An Exclusive Interview Of Sourav Ganguly With Xtratime
[caption id="attachment_3748" align="alignnone" width="580"]
File Pic : Sourav Ganguly relaxing in the stands at MCG . Image Source - Xtra Time[/caption]
Xtratime Caught Up With The Man For An Exclusive Interview:
Interviewer: You are spending a lot of time on the outfield on top of your scheduled time as the president of the CAB. So what is your future plans regarding Bengal’s cricket?
Sourav Ganguly: I believe that groundwork is very important. And we try to give to the best of training and supervision to the most important Bengal cricketers in our Vision Twenty20. Experts like Laxman, Sekhar and Muralitharan has been roped in for this. We have some well-performing cricketers on our hands now. The Ranji Trophy tournament has yielded positive results for us, if only our last match had gone well then we might have ended up as the leading team in our group. The team has not performed well in the Hazare Trophy, but we were quite successful in the 4 ODIs. I believe that if players who display a great amount of potential are selected and provided the required facilities then positive results are bound to come our way. And CAB’S job is to provide these facilities. Interviewer: Through you are saying and what kind of initiatives the CAB are taking it is well understood that Sourav Ganguly has taken over as the captain of the ship. Am I right? Sourav Ganguly: This is a place to play and the association exists with the sole purpose of organizing games. When we had played in our days the then CAB authorities had tried to provide us the best of cricketing facilities. But during those days opportunities were scarce and investments were hard to come by. But now we have both. So the cricketing skills and temperament of our players will be put on the test and will evidently be developed as a result of playing different, high profile matches in various and tough conditions. In this year itself we had played a pre–season match in Sri Lanka and we have reaped the benefits of it in the Ranji Trophy. I believe that our players will never improve if they do not play against players who are better than them. I want to send the Bengal team to England next year. It will be expensive but still let’s see what can be done. Interviewer: Are you channelling your attention to cultivating any particular type of cricketer: Fast bowler or batsman? Sourav Ganguly: We are trying to give our attention in all the areas of Cricket. Laxman is for batting, T.A. Sekhar is for fast bowling and Muralitharan is for spin bowling. Cricketing talents like Amir Dani or Sudipto Pramanik are being cultivated. Interviewer: The Indian-subcontinent is not so good for pace-bowling, isn’t it? Sourav Ganguly: We are not lacking in skill. It’s our perspective that we must change. Bowlers like Mohammad Sami, Umesh Jadav are bowling in the 140s and 150s mark. We have some good pace bowlers. Dinda is bowling really fast, there is a boy named Mukesh and there is Virpratap. There are a couple of promising fellows in the U-19 squad too. Only our attitude must be changed. If we are conscious about it then change is possible. Interviewer: Vision Twenty 20 means results will be obtained within 2020? Sourav Ganguly: No. The name exists for its sake itself. There is no time limit. It is an ongoing process. Interviewer: Now tell me something about the Indian side? Sourav Ganguly: They are about to go to Australia. Our team is a young team, going through a transitional phase. They will take some time to adopt to the various conditions. In our own country we were successful 30 years ago and we still are. We always win on our turning tracks. But it will take some time to be successful in all sorts of pitches. Interviewer: How is Virat as a captain? Sourav Ganguly: He is successful till now. He has played 2 series till now, but if we begin comparing him with Dhoni and others then it won’t be fair. He should play at least one and a half to two years and only then he should be judged. As a player he is outstanding. Interviewer: What are India’s prospects in the 2019 Cricket World Cup? Sourav Ganguly: The world cup is still four years from now on. A lot of time. Nothing can be said right now. The tournament will be held in England. India will surely play well. But who knows what will be the team composition 4 years later. Interviewer: Isn’t it safe to assume that Dhoni will not be in the squad 4 years later? Sourav Ganguly: No, tough to say. Everybody’s body is not the same. He may be able to continue till then. But nothing can be said right now. 4 years is a lot of time. Most of the youngsters will stay. And by that time our Wriddhi will also mature as an ODI player. Interviewer: Are Twenty20 matches harming cricket? Sourav Ganguly: No I don’t believe that. Just another saleable format, revenue earning format. This is the format which will actually keep all the other formats alive. I believe that test cricket is the original format where the temperament of the players are put to the test. But the modern cricketer must adopt himself according to all the various formats. If he cannot adjust to the 20-20 format then he will lag behind financially. And that in turn will harm the cricketer even more. Interviewer: It is true that test cricket is the platform where the temperament of the players is put to the test. But can the temperament also be tested by monitoring whether or not that player is able to adjust to the Twenty20 format? Sourav Ganguly: Why not? Virat Kohli can, New Zealand team’s Kane Williamson can, Steve Smith of Australia can. Interviewer: How can they adjust? Any special skill or technique? Sourav Ganguly: Technique is essential in all formats of the game. But the secret to their success is that they are being able to mentally adopt a lot more efficiently. Interviewer: If being modern is the key then why does the Indian DRS(Division Reserve System) not follow this? After all you also….. Sourav Ganguly: Many things are not foolproof. But my experience with the DRS is very bad. Yes, if the umpires make a mistake then it can be rectified. But it’s not always accurate. It would be better if ball tracker is used instead of DRS. Interviewer: Why is that? Sourav Ganguly: If the ball tracker is used in case of a Bat-pad catch or a caught behind the wicket then we can always get an accurate result. But if the DRS is used then the chance of making a judgmental error increases. Interviewer: You have said that the modern format of cricket will keep the original format alive. So what are your thoughts on ISL? Sourav Ganguly: ISL has rekindled my passion for football. I was pleased to see the Salt lake stadium jam-packed with 70 thousand audience in the gallery. There is no East Bengal and Mohun Bagan match and yet there are 70 thousand people inside the stadium, it’s an incredible thing. Interviewer: A lot of people are saying that the quality of the Indian players has improved. But again a lot of people are also criticizing it. Sourav Ganguly: Indian players are bound to improve. No matter how much criticism they are facing if the game is not commercially sound improvement of the players is not possible. Look at what is happening with Kabaddi. Who had thought that players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will play games in India. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are struggling to find sponsors. It’s simply a result of bad marketing. Interviewer: The public image of the sports authorities in India is not very good. Your juniors have grown up considering you as their role model but now that you have stepped into the role of management they might begin to dislike you. What do you think about that? Sourav Ganguly: I have got this responsibility. This is my opportunity to do something good for the game. I have almost forgotten the last time I had played for the CAB League. If I had not got this responsibility then things Vision Twenty20 would not have been possible. Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the game and its an honour. This job is not my most favourite job in the world. Still I am using this opportunity to do as much good I can for the game. T20 world cup is coming, the final match will be held in Eden. You should come and see that Eden has changed. Everything ranging from the outfield to the scoreboard will be functioning in a better condition. Interviewer: The kind of confidence you are exuding as management personnel are you aiming to become the BCCI president anytime soon? Sourav Ganguly: I have duties elsewhere. I have a young family. So right now my priority is Bengal cricket and its development.
