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Different ‘strokes’
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Dada might have lost captaincy and also his place in the ODI squad but his popularity remains the same and people would like to hear what he says, writes G. Narasimha Rao
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Photo: K.R. Deepak
Prince of Kolkata Sourav Ganguly
Saurav Ganguly might have lost captaincy and also his place in the ODI squad but his popularity remains the same and people would like to hear what he says.
The former Indian captain was in the city a few days ago, not to play a game of cricket but to promote a product for which he is the brand ambassador. He was smiling all through, has been patient with the photographers and cameramen who were present in a good number at the press conference held on the occasion even as they were standing or kneeling very close to him.
The former captain has pleasant memories with the city, India won both the matches played here under his captaincy. He said he found the city a beautiful one.
With Ganguly around, the questions are naturally about cricket and he answered them all. It was not a difficult target but Ajantha Mendis took the game away from India, he said on India losing yet another final, in the Asia Cup in Karachi.
“It happens. Somehow we are on the wrong side most of the time. Losing finals is definitely a worry. Dhoni, his one-day boys and coach must sit together and discuss”, said Ganguly.
The former captain, who is brand ambassador of Captain TMT, a steel product, spoke at a press conference held to announce its expansion plans.
The ensuing tour to Sri Lanka is going to be a keenly-contest one and tough assignment for India as it has to face very good spinners like Muralitharan and Mendis. Sri Lanka is always strong on his home pitch, he pointed out.
However, India is outstanding in Tests and is ranked No. 2 in world, Ganguly said. It also has good bowlers like Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Sreeshant, R.P. Singh and others, he added.
Test format always remains the best
The former Indian captain asserted that the Test format is the best, “in the past, at present and in future”. It is always the best form of cricket and performances in Tests will be remembered forever and it is the benchmark of the game. “The Test cricket, ODIs and twenty20 will survive on their own”.
The twenty20 format is bringing in good crowds as people are enjoying a game of three to four hours duration with 4s and 6s being blasted frequently. “Then there is added attraction like Sharukh Khan, Preity Zinta and others. It’s cricket as well as entertainment”, he said.
Ganguly said he had gone to England to attend on his father who has undergone a surgery but did not discuss details of a twenty20 format tourney in England with English players. Ganguly would not like to comment on why he was not selected for the ODI squad in spite of his good performance in the IPL twenty20 tournament. “It was selectors’ decision”, he said. Will he play in the next World Cup? “That is a long way. I can’t say now”.
Captain TMT has chosen Saurav Ganugly as its brand ambassador because he signifies its brand values like quality, performance and solidarity, said its director Avinash Agarwalla. Ganguly on his part said he associates himself with the products which he believes are the best and deliver unmatched quantity.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Pondicherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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