The Hindu : Sport : Recharged Ganguly in great spirits

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Friday, Jun 08, 2007
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Recharged Ganguly in great spirits

Special Correspondent

RARING TO GO: Sourav Ganguly, who is part of the Asia XI team, arriving at the hotel in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: R. Ragu

Chennai: Sourav Ganguly swung around to recognise a familiar face at the team hotel lobby. "Have you retired," the Dada asked former India `A' southpaw Sridharan Sharath.

When Sharath, in the reception panel for the two Afro-Asia Cup ODIs here, replied in the affirmative,

Ganguly added, "So you are looking after us now. Well done matchan!" Soon, an affectionate hug followed.

The former Indian captain was in good spirits as he arrived here with Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif. Players of the two sides arrived in batches from Bangalore on Thursday evening for the second and third ODIs on June 9 and June 10.

Key members of the African team, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Abraham de Villiers and Justin Kemp walked in minutes later.

"Chennai brings back happy memories,'' said Ganguly. He went on, "Remember the Australia series?" It was at Chepauk in 2001 that India defeated Steve Waugh's Australians 2-1 in a titanic Test series. And Ganguly was at the helm.

Hard times

The last two years were hard for Ganguly, but he kept the fire burning. Not too long back, he was here for the Challenger Series, fighting to regain his India place. Now, a fighting-fit Ganguly is a part of the Asian team.

Ganguly was pragmatic about the turnaround in his fortunes — "This is nothing new. I have been here before. I have been the captain." He then smiled.

Team Asia too has a lot to be pleased about after the 34-run victory in the first ODI. However, its opponent seemed full of beans.

Pollock, who slammed his career's first ODI hundred, hoped for a repeat performance. "Irrespective of the team they are rooting for, the spectators should always enjoy the cricket on view," he said. Yousuf and Asif were received with warmth. Promising paceman Asif was not short of admirers. Before long, both hit the gym.

Kemp looked back at South Africa's collapse against Australia in the World Cup semifinals —

"It was one of those things, it still hurts."

Shah mum

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah refused to spell out reasons for Dav Whatmore's exclusion from the race for the new Team India coach.

On Sunil Gavaskar suggesting former England captain John Emburey's name for the top job, he replied that the members of the committee were free to air their choices. "Eventually, a decision will be taken," he added.

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