Sourav Ganguly feels Tuesday's morning session will be crucial for the hosts if they have to force a win in the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan here.
For former skipper Sourav Ganguly, past is passe. Now, he only wants to concentrate on the present
BANGALORE: Sourav Ganguly said his double hundred on Monday was one of his best knocks, if not the best. “It is difficult to say, but I think it is one of my most important innings because we were 61 for four at one stage and from there we got to 600. So I think from that point of view and this being the final Test of the series, it was an important innings,” the former India captain said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the end-of-the-day press conference, Ganguly said he’s happy with the way he is batting and is confident he would do well in Australia too. “I have been trying to get a double hundred. I have come close a few times in the past, but didn’t get it. It is good that I managed to do it in an important game.”
He said the Indian team has good batting depth to counter the Australian attack Down Under in the upcoming series. “We will get used to the conditions. We have the players who have performed in England, West Indies and South Africa and we have gone from these conditions always. There is a lot of batting talent in this team.”
Ganguly also felt that Yuvraj Singh would get his chance sooner than later. “He is a quality player and I am sure he will be part of the Test team consistently. But that is Anil’s (Kumble) and selectors’ problem. I am no one to decide on that.” Ganguly, however, refused to dwell on the eight months he was out of the squad.
“I don’t think it was a good time, those eight months. Since I have come back I have played well. There’s no particular reason why I was out. It is just that I have played well since my comeback and it has kept on getting better.”
He, however, clarified that he did not get any congratulatory messages from Greg Chappell or Kiran More.The former captain felt an Indian victory was still possible.
“I think tomorrow’s morning session will be important. The ball does a bit early morning and this is the last batting pair, so if we can get an early breakthrough and the way the wicket is behaving, it will not be easy for the lower-order batsmen.”
He said he did not consider himself as a fourth seamer despite bowling well in the Test series.
“I don’t think I am good enough to be the fourth seamer. I’m a fifth seamer. I think if I can bowl 13-14 overs a day without giving away too many runs and pick up a wicket or two, or break a partnership, I have done my job. It will also give the main bowlers some rest and also give some options to Anil (Kumble).”
Was losing captaincy a blessing in disguise? “I scored runs even when I was the captain.
It is just that I am playing well now. Whether you are the captain or a player, your job is to do well. There are times when you will do well and there are times when you will not do well. As I said before, it has got no bearing with anything and I hope this form continues.”
On new coach Gary Kirsten, Ganguly said there was not much interaction possible with the South African. “It was a very short interaction becausewe were busy with our preparations for the Test. He also came for only two days. But he will be with us for two years, so I am sure we can talk a lot once he comes back.”
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