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Change Your Life! |
Ganguly blames batsmen |
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News |
March 31, 2000
Mumbai: Batsmen on the team did not apply themselves properly which resulted in a disappointing batting performance, feels Indian cricket skipper Saurav Ganguly on his return from Sharjah.
Ganguly arrived in Mumbai from Sharjah on Thursday by an early morning flight along with five others - Rahul Dravid, Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath and wicketkeeper Syed Saba Karim. The other members of the team are expected later in the day.
In a frank chat inside the Indian team's bus while waiting for the connecting flight to Calcutta. Ganguly termed the failure of batting as one of the main reasons of India's defeat. "The batting was very disappointing," he added.
He also admitted that he did not score enough runs himself. However, he shot down a suggestion that captaincy was affecting his performance a batsman."I have scored heavily in the last two years. This was bound to happen. I do not think captaincy is affecting my play in any way. "Ganguly also admitted that coupled with his failure as a batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, too, did not score runs, and neither did Rahul Dravid get going.
Ganguly was, however, happy with teams bowling saying that expect for the last ten overs against Pakistan in the return encounter, "we bowled well."
Agarkar and Prasad were impressive and Kumble was his usual reliable self. "I think these were the plus points of the tour," he said.
On Srinath, Ganguly said he has had just three bad games. He remains one of our top bowlers, "and I am sure he will come back with a bang."
Ganguly also admitted that Dravid's form is obviously a worrying factor. "As a captain when your main batsman is having a lean time, it is definitely a cause for worry. However, he is a class batsman and this lean phase of his would not last long," he added.
Ganguly also praised Azharuddin, but added that from a player like him one looks for something more. "We need centuries from him not just thirties and forties. He played well, but he can play better and that would be good for the team,'' Ganguly added.
However, Ganguly has set his sights firmly ahead, and says that what has happened is history and the team has to look to the future. The team has a lot of cricket ahead of them and they will have to work harder on our weak points and improve all the aspects of their game to begin winning once again, he feels.
Ganguly hinted at a short camp to be organized before the Asia Cup in Dhaka beginning in late May. "I have spoken to the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jaywant Lele and we would have a short camp before the Asia Cup to concentrate on the specifics," he added.
Ganguly felt that Pakistan is now the favorite to win the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah. (UNI)
Source: The Bangladesh Observer.
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