Aakash Chopra lashed at critics who dubded him as a purely 'Test batsman' and raised questions about him playing in the shorter version of the game.
MUMBAI: India's Test discard Aakash Chopra on Thursday lashed at critics who dubded him as a purely 'Test batsman' and raised questions about him playing in the shorter version of the game, saying he should not be stereotyped.
"In India, we tend to stereotype people that certain batsman are good for the Test and not for the rest," Chopra said defending his selection for the Kolkata 'Knight Riders'.
"IPL has given me the opportunity to prove people wrong and prove a point, which I think I have already shown improvement in my performance this year. My strike rate has gone up and I am batting as good as anyone else," he added.
Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly also defended inclusion of Chopra and Gujarat batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, saying the two boys had a lot of hunger and wanted to succeed on the big stage.
"We have to take Indian players as well because we will have to play with only four overseas players. It's not the names and rankings that counts instead it's their hunger," said Ganguly.
On his comeback in the one day team, the stylish left handed batsman said, "I don't know (why I am left out). I will have to perform. Whatever the reason for me being left out. I am 35 (years old) and I'll get another opportunity somewhere."
On handling ex-captians in the team, he said, "Players like (Ricky) Ponting walk out to bat for their country, club and state and there are thousands watching them. So they have a reputation to keep."
"Leading teams with ex-captains in it has never been a problem. I had done it and now we are playing under Anil (Kumble) in the Tests and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni in the one-dayers," added Ganguly.
He said choosing the team would be slightly easier since some of the international players would be performing their national duties.
"We have a blend young and big names, certain players will be playing with their countries so it'll make my job easy," Ganguly added.
Lanky pacer Ishant Sharma on being asked whether the former Australian coach John Buchanan told him to put on some muscle, said, "He hasn't told me anything yet."
Ishant said he never had any inspiration from the cricketing arena and was his own inspiration.
"I am my own inspiration but Glenn McGrath is my favourite bowler," said Ishant.
On the hockey debacle, Bollywood actor and owner of the 'Knight Riders' team, Shah Rukh Khan said, "Winning and losing is a part of the game. We should take stock of the situation and build the team for the next Olympics. I have got associated with cricket today, hockey tomorrow and then football which I love so much, who will make films then. I am an actor and that's my profession," Khan said.
He said some people may have a problem with the IPL but when the dust settles down everything will be fine.
"It's a new format and when the dust settles down everything will become clear. If someone has a point to make regarding the IPL, they should be clarified by the associations concerned," he added.
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