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Craig HillThe real reason why Ganguly was picked for India
March 14th 2007 00:40
If you were lucky enough to be a fly on a the wall in the five star accommodation undoubtedly occupied by the Prince of Indian cricket Sourav Ganguly (his team mates of course offering to mop the floor and his brow intermittently to gain vague acknowledgement) in the last few days you may well have found him in deep conversation with one Sunil Gavaskar.
Sunny and Ponting have engaged in a war of words in the press in the lead up to the World Cup. The Aussies are being challenged at their own mental disintegration and mind games by the Indians.
You see despite the best efforts of the Australian Cricket Board under James Sutherland and the proliferation of recent contests between the two teams the Indian and Australian players have never really been best buddies. Guys like Kumble and Gilly get on just fine but add prickly or sensitive characters into the mix and you get an altogether different picture.
During the famous 2001 series in India Ganguly drove Steve Waugh nuts with his brusque manner and his notably loose definitions of time keeping for key moments like the toss of the coin. If anything Ponting is more vulnerable than Waugh and is still evolving as a captain, one smarting from five consecutive ODI losses.
I wouldn’t mind betting that the Indians fancy their chances in this tournament and that with Australia as one of the main threats a calculated assault on the captain (the thorn in their side in the last World Cup final) was the way to go.
Ganguly as ex captain couldn’t really place himself in the firing line lest he be the subject of more unwelcome attention from the coach Greg Chappell so he simply sided up to Gavaskar who was interested enough to carry out the simple task of riling Ponting.
Whether mention of the late David Hookes is below the belt or not hardly matters as the comment will undoubtedly case the intended effect in the Australian camp.
Can Ponting’s team rise about a run of recent defeats and the collective mud slinging? Probably but hey if you were India Inc. at this World Cup wouldn’t you give it a try.
Sunny and Ponting have engaged in a war of words in the press in the lead up to the World Cup. The Aussies are being challenged at their own mental disintegration and mind games by the Indians.
You see despite the best efforts of the Australian Cricket Board under James Sutherland and the proliferation of recent contests between the two teams the Indian and Australian players have never really been best buddies. Guys like Kumble and Gilly get on just fine but add prickly or sensitive characters into the mix and you get an altogether different picture.
During the famous 2001 series in India Ganguly drove Steve Waugh nuts with his brusque manner and his notably loose definitions of time keeping for key moments like the toss of the coin. If anything Ponting is more vulnerable than Waugh and is still evolving as a captain, one smarting from five consecutive ODI losses.
I wouldn’t mind betting that the Indians fancy their chances in this tournament and that with Australia as one of the main threats a calculated assault on the captain (the thorn in their side in the last World Cup final) was the way to go.
Ganguly as ex captain couldn’t really place himself in the firing line lest he be the subject of more unwelcome attention from the coach Greg Chappell so he simply sided up to Gavaskar who was interested enough to carry out the simple task of riling Ponting.
Whether mention of the late David Hookes is below the belt or not hardly matters as the comment will undoubtedly case the intended effect in the Australian camp.
Can Ponting’s team rise about a run of recent defeats and the collective mud slinging? Probably but hey if you were India Inc. at this World Cup wouldn’t you give it a try.
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Comment by Anonymous
Comment by DavidH
Defending the indefensible
Thanks for providing feedback.
The article is perhaps a little strong but I think the similarities between Gavaskar's recent unprompted tirade (that started the war of words) and the way Ganguly used to rile Waugh are uncanny.
Let's hope Ponting and Gavaskar can return to their respective positions, Ponting as Aussie captain and Gavaskar as respected commentator.
Cheers
cricketnews.com.au
Comment by Very Best
Sunil ---> Selfiish (That's how I would like to see him. You can settle your personal issues with aussies in the disguise of an Indian. You don't represent 1 billion people.