Suarav Ganguly - Adios
A prince...A King.... A pauper...or A monk...for me these are four ways to describe cricketing life of one of the most entertaining character of Indian cricket - Saurav Chandidas Ganguly or simply "Dada".
Prince - Lord's....Canada...Offside...
For me his cricket started at Lord's, where his scintillating century not only won him approvals of pundits but also hearts of a billion fans. If that was not enough he came back with another one in the following test. Now we all knew, that we are for treat...a treat that lasted for 12 years. Saurav was on song from then on. Canada was like dream come true for him, what ever he touched turned gold. He became Boycotts and our "Prince of Calcutta". From that phase, what i remember most was one of ODI against Shri lanka, when Saurav was piercing Shri Lanka on offside at will. After conceding couple of boundaries through extra cover, Ranatunga packed offside with 7 fielders for Vaas. And if this sounds like an attacking strategy to intimidate batsman, believe me it was just to stop ball from racing to offside boundry. But then even if Arjuna had entire Shrilanka standing on offside, Saurav would have found some angle or gap which would even baffle pythagoras. Next ball, he just was waited a fraction more and ball bisected point and cover to ....you know what. Purist may argue that his footwork wasn't perfect, his bat didn't come down straight...but when Saurav was ripping offside it was just as divine as Laxman's flick of wrist or Sachin's straight drive or Rahul's backfoot ondrive.
- Rahul paid ultimate tribute to this sorcery - "On offside there is God and then there is Saurav".
King - Lord's balcony, world Cup 99, Waugh's final frontier.....list goes on.
In of this interview, Bishan Singh Bedi thanked Pataudi for making Indian Cricket team, a team playing for India and not Punjab or Maharashtra or Bombay. He gave tricolor to Indian cricket. If Tiger gave tricolor to Indian cricket then Dada told us how to wear it on your chest .Match fixing scandal, Azhar's departure and Sachin's reluctance towards captaincy along with Saurav's success accelerated his was to the top . Prince of Calcutta was now the King...and what a King he was. Saurav and his team represented India of late nineties and 21st century. India and Indian were undergoing a transformation - be it economy, diplomacy or sports. We had been humble and polite chaps who trusted in participation more then victory for ages, we were perfect ambassadors of gentleman's game(I can never forget Javagal Shrinath being abused Ricky Ponting for a bouncer that Punter could not leave, what was Shrinath's response - Apology.). But things were about to change as at the helm was by no stretch of imagination gentleman - he was brat, he was rude and boy he was a bully.
Ganguli's reign would also be remembered for balance of experience and youth in the team. He has been instrumental in transforming some of the raw talents into pillars of Indian cricket in days to come. Though on occasions he gave more opportunities to some of the players then he should have. But no complaints, if that gives you a Yuvraj, a Harbhajan, a Sehwag and a Irfan and a Zaheeer, its worth every penny.
Saurav was lucky as as he captained a team that boasted of arguably the best middle order ever - Rahul, Sachin, Laxaman and , man himself, Saurav. Add murderous Sehwag to that and you get a give goose bumps to any team. Old warhorses Kumble and Shrinath were always there, but Zaheer, Irfan and Bhajji made India an attacking outfit. Though India was never short on talent ever, but separated them from rest was there attitude, there fearless hunger for win, there unrelenting desire to prove themselves and who gave them this - Captain Ganguli.
Ganguli and his men( and there famous huddle) are the most successful ever in India history every - even stats would tell you that and this has unquestionably put Ganguli amongst the greatest Indian captains, but stats would just tell you the numbers - do they tell you about bear chested Ganguli on the balcony of Lord's, do they tell you how Steve Waugh was denied of his final frontier, would it tell you about the how Waugh's swan song was almost turned into greatest Australian nightmare, or how Aussie were trashed in Adelaide. Though Ganguli was never hero of any of those successes but we all knew that he was there in each of these stories. He was never popular among hos counterparts - even Steve Waugh found him rude - as Aussie finding and Indian rude, dawn of new age of cricket. But as Douglas Jarden has once put in defense of bodyline - "I have not come here to win friends, but to win Ashes.", Ganguli never aspired to be ambassador of gentleman's game, he adorned tricolor for different mission - Dada you accomplished all of them.
Pauper : Chappell, form and Nagpur green top
John Wright was perhaps the kind of coach that suited Indian team and captain Ganguly's temperament, he was low key, polite and accommodated Saurav's whims and fancies .
But when BCCI brought in Greg Chappell to coach India cricket team, we knew that we already have the rudest captain ever and now we have foulest mouth as our coach....either the team would reach unprecedented high or it would fall on its face. Unfortunately the destiny chose latter, Ganguli's dwindling form with the bat and his sour relationship with Chappell were hinting a disaster in making. We had witnessed unprecedented, when Ponting's men had come to for Border Gavaskar and this time the actually conquered illusive frontier. I can never forget maggi noodle jokes about Ganguly's exploits with the bat. His cluttered mind was reflecting in his every outing. He was scoring against minnows to keep his place intact. I would not deny I was also one many who wanted him to go. Not many know what would have inspired green top at Nagpur, I can envisage nothing but the hidden daggers were now now out in open. He opted out of the test and this was excuse enough to axe him from the team.
There are very few characters like Ganguly in Indian cricket, you can love him, you can hate him but you cant ignore him. His fans were all around even when he was dropped and I am not talking about fanatic bengali from Kolkatta but a north Indian collegue in Mumba, Sharad. When we were writing obituaries for classy left hander over a lunch, Sharad - die hard fan of Saurav had so much faith in his icon and his mettle that he immediately put 5k on bet over his resurrection in a years time. Though 5k is a big sum, but deep down inside we all wanted to loose those 5k. I dont know if even Becham mania has ever reached this high
A monk....sweat, tears, blood and Chappell
When the king died, a monk took his place. King toiled hard, harder then ever before. He was preparing for that last show of class, last bow and the last applaud. He had come with a bang in Lord's, his exit could not be in BCCCI court room. For most 32 year olds, this could be the death knell, considering the huge talent pool of Indian cricket and initial stint of success which successor Dravid has with coach chappell - things we very gloomy for Ganguly. But he and his fans hadn't given up...domestic circuits, class A, Challenger ... as he was getting his touch back, India team was looking out of steam with no replacement for Ganguly actually making big. Dravid never appeared as a leader, his discomfort with crown of thorns had started reflecting in his form. We all knew that all was not well in the dressing room and it was uglier then our imagination came into light when always quite and balance chose to speak against Chappell Sr. India's debacle in WC in 2007 was enough to moot end of Chappell era; had life come a full circle. Sharad wore this "didnt I tell you" smile to office every day. All his fans could not have asked for more - Chappell out and Dada back in team - but i pointed to Sharad, though 5 k is yours, this is not the same man. He had transformed, there was certain calm in his batting, a lot of monk like serenity and lot more maturity then flamboyance. There will be no baring of shirts, no biting of nails or "air" that can irritate even an ice man would be missing...to this Sharad quipped - but that extra cover drive, punch through point and loft over long leg is still intact. I really enjoyed his second stint just as much as his first. May be he is last amongst the fab four of India, but whenever we will discuss characters who shaped Indian cricket - he would be right at the top - even before Tendulkar.
We will always be proud that we are witnessed of Saurav Ganguly era - as T20 generation of cricket is so corporate perfect with it nuances of media life that no one would even ruffle their hair do at the lord's forget................
Prince - Lord's....Canada...Offside...
For me his cricket started at Lord's, where his scintillating century not only won him approvals of pundits but also hearts of a billion fans. If that was not enough he came back with another one in the following test. Now we all knew, that we are for treat...a treat that lasted for 12 years. Saurav was on song from then on. Canada was like dream come true for him, what ever he touched turned gold. He became Boycotts and our "Prince of Calcutta". From that phase, what i remember most was one of ODI against Shri lanka, when Saurav was piercing Shri Lanka on offside at will. After conceding couple of boundaries through extra cover, Ranatunga packed offside with 7 fielders for Vaas. And if this sounds like an attacking strategy to intimidate batsman, believe me it was just to stop ball from racing to offside boundry. But then even if Arjuna had entire Shrilanka standing on offside, Saurav would have found some angle or gap which would even baffle pythagoras. Next ball, he just was waited a fraction more and ball bisected point and cover to ....you know what. Purist may argue that his footwork wasn't perfect, his bat didn't come down straight...but when Saurav was ripping offside it was just as divine as Laxman's flick of wrist or Sachin's straight drive or Rahul's backfoot ondrive.
- Rahul paid ultimate tribute to this sorcery - "On offside there is God and then there is Saurav".
King - Lord's balcony, world Cup 99, Waugh's final frontier.....list goes on.
In of this interview, Bishan Singh Bedi thanked Pataudi for making Indian Cricket team, a team playing for India and not Punjab or Maharashtra or Bombay. He gave tricolor to Indian cricket. If Tiger gave tricolor to Indian cricket then Dada told us how to wear it on your chest .Match fixing scandal, Azhar's departure and Sachin's reluctance towards captaincy along with Saurav's success accelerated his was to the top . Prince of Calcutta was now the King...and what a King he was. Saurav and his team represented India of late nineties and 21st century. India and Indian were undergoing a transformation - be it economy, diplomacy or sports. We had been humble and polite chaps who trusted in participation more then victory for ages, we were perfect ambassadors of gentleman's game(I can never forget Javagal Shrinath being abused Ricky Ponting for a bouncer that Punter could not leave, what was Shrinath's response - Apology.). But things were about to change as at the helm was by no stretch of imagination gentleman - he was brat, he was rude and boy he was a bully.
Ganguli's reign would also be remembered for balance of experience and youth in the team. He has been instrumental in transforming some of the raw talents into pillars of Indian cricket in days to come. Though on occasions he gave more opportunities to some of the players then he should have. But no complaints, if that gives you a Yuvraj, a Harbhajan, a Sehwag and a Irfan and a Zaheeer, its worth every penny.
Saurav was lucky as as he captained a team that boasted of arguably the best middle order ever - Rahul, Sachin, Laxaman and , man himself, Saurav. Add murderous Sehwag to that and you get a give goose bumps to any team. Old warhorses Kumble and Shrinath were always there, but Zaheer, Irfan and Bhajji made India an attacking outfit. Though India was never short on talent ever, but separated them from rest was there attitude, there fearless hunger for win, there unrelenting desire to prove themselves and who gave them this - Captain Ganguli.
Ganguli and his men( and there famous huddle) are the most successful ever in India history every - even stats would tell you that and this has unquestionably put Ganguli amongst the greatest Indian captains, but stats would just tell you the numbers - do they tell you about bear chested Ganguli on the balcony of Lord's, do they tell you how Steve Waugh was denied of his final frontier, would it tell you about the how Waugh's swan song was almost turned into greatest Australian nightmare, or how Aussie were trashed in Adelaide. Though Ganguli was never hero of any of those successes but we all knew that he was there in each of these stories. He was never popular among hos counterparts - even Steve Waugh found him rude - as Aussie finding and Indian rude, dawn of new age of cricket. But as Douglas Jarden has once put in defense of bodyline - "I have not come here to win friends, but to win Ashes.", Ganguli never aspired to be ambassador of gentleman's game, he adorned tricolor for different mission - Dada you accomplished all of them.
Pauper : Chappell, form and Nagpur green top
John Wright was perhaps the kind of coach that suited Indian team and captain Ganguly's temperament, he was low key, polite and accommodated Saurav's whims and fancies .
But when BCCI brought in Greg Chappell to coach India cricket team, we knew that we already have the rudest captain ever and now we have foulest mouth as our coach....either the team would reach unprecedented high or it would fall on its face. Unfortunately the destiny chose latter, Ganguli's dwindling form with the bat and his sour relationship with Chappell were hinting a disaster in making. We had witnessed unprecedented, when Ponting's men had come to for Border Gavaskar and this time the actually conquered illusive frontier. I can never forget maggi noodle jokes about Ganguly's exploits with the bat. His cluttered mind was reflecting in his every outing. He was scoring against minnows to keep his place intact. I would not deny I was also one many who wanted him to go. Not many know what would have inspired green top at Nagpur, I can envisage nothing but the hidden daggers were now now out in open. He opted out of the test and this was excuse enough to axe him from the team.
There are very few characters like Ganguly in Indian cricket, you can love him, you can hate him but you cant ignore him. His fans were all around even when he was dropped and I am not talking about fanatic bengali from Kolkatta but a north Indian collegue in Mumba, Sharad. When we were writing obituaries for classy left hander over a lunch, Sharad - die hard fan of Saurav had so much faith in his icon and his mettle that he immediately put 5k on bet over his resurrection in a years time. Though 5k is a big sum, but deep down inside we all wanted to loose those 5k. I dont know if even Becham mania has ever reached this high
A monk....sweat, tears, blood and Chappell
When the king died, a monk took his place. King toiled hard, harder then ever before. He was preparing for that last show of class, last bow and the last applaud. He had come with a bang in Lord's, his exit could not be in BCCCI court room. For most 32 year olds, this could be the death knell, considering the huge talent pool of Indian cricket and initial stint of success which successor Dravid has with coach chappell - things we very gloomy for Ganguly. But he and his fans hadn't given up...domestic circuits, class A, Challenger ... as he was getting his touch back, India team was looking out of steam with no replacement for Ganguly actually making big. Dravid never appeared as a leader, his discomfort with crown of thorns had started reflecting in his form. We all knew that all was not well in the dressing room and it was uglier then our imagination came into light when always quite and balance chose to speak against Chappell Sr. India's debacle in WC in 2007 was enough to moot end of Chappell era; had life come a full circle. Sharad wore this "didnt I tell you" smile to office every day. All his fans could not have asked for more - Chappell out and Dada back in team - but i pointed to Sharad, though 5 k is yours, this is not the same man. He had transformed, there was certain calm in his batting, a lot of monk like serenity and lot more maturity then flamboyance. There will be no baring of shirts, no biting of nails or "air" that can irritate even an ice man would be missing...to this Sharad quipped - but that extra cover drive, punch through point and loft over long leg is still intact. I really enjoyed his second stint just as much as his first. May be he is last amongst the fab four of India, but whenever we will discuss characters who shaped Indian cricket - he would be right at the top - even before Tendulkar.
We will always be proud that we are witnessed of Saurav Ganguly era - as T20 generation of cricket is so corporate perfect with it nuances of media life that no one would even ruffle their hair do at the lord's forget................
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