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Friday, Jul 09, 2004

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Ganguly — a players' captain

By Sanjay Rajan

CHENNAI, JULY 8. Sourav Ganguly is more of a statesman than a captain now. The team is of primary importance to him and he is not unduly concerned about his own batting position as long as the results are positive.

Ganguly showed this in the second innings of the Melbourne Test late last year when he walked in ahead of Sachin Tendulkar on the third day to protect the latter, who was out of form, from the risks of facing the day's last few overs.

"I think that's the case with everyone in the team. We play to win and winning is the ultimate thing. We'll do whatever is required to win. Precisely why, we make sure that the guy coming in at No. 7 and scoring a 30 to clinch a game gets as much importance as somebody who opens the batting and scores a 100," explained Ganguly in an exclusive chat with The Hindu on the concluding day of the Asia Cup camp at the Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

Ganguly, who completed 32 years of age today, is the country's most successful skipper. And he doesn't subscribe to the theory that a captain can only be as good as his team. "I'd say there is bit more to it. But then, having a team of your own is very, very important."

It is said that a captain learns on the job. But Ganguly doesn't reveal how he manages to retain focus on his primary talent (batting), which got him into the side in the first place. "That's why they say it is a difficult job. You have to look after your own cricket as well as the team's. Certainly not the easiest job in the game, I'd think," he said.

He described the bond between him and the boys as one developed by trust. "I share a good relationship with the boys. Obviously I try and do my best to support them. But the most important thing is that they trust me. That's the key," said the Bengal lefthander.

Ganguly does not believe that technology has made captaincy easier. "You may have technology and support staff, but when in the middle, you are on your own. It is there that you take the decisions that matter the most," said Ganguly, whose debut as captain was in the one-off Test against Bangladesh in 2000.

Ganguly agreed that the closer scrutiny by opponents made batting tougher than when he began his Test career in 1996 with two successive centuries on the tour of England. "It is the same for everyone. When you play for a long period of time people get to know your technique and probe your weaknesses. That's when you've got to work on your game and improve," he said.

Not many Indian captains have had a player of Tendulkar's stature in the side, but Ganguly said there is nothing special in the way he deals with the Mumbai maestro. "I don't think it is tough leading a team with Sachin in it. We all realise that the team is important, understand that we each have our roles to play and that we are only going to win if everybody in the team performs well together."

Big bonus

About the Asia Cup, he said, "We had a good season last year and it is important for us to follow it up. That's how you become a good side. Consistency is important.

"After a long time we are back at full strength. Harbhajan Singh's return is a huge bonus; Kumble is at his best. Then there are Zaheer, Pathan and Balaji. All five are wicket-taking bowlers.

"This being the season-opener, you can expect the boys to be a bit rusty. That's why we had practice matches during the camp. The idea is to settle down quickly and get into a rhythm. Sri Lanka is a good side at home and Pakistan is always dangerous. It will be a good tournament."

Regarding his strategy for the competition, Ganguly said, "I really don't want to change what has been a successful formula. We've won important games with seven batsmen. Moreover, in one-day cricket batting depth is crucial."

On Geoff Boycott's visit, he said, "He was a great player. He helped the boys on matters of technique and mindset."

Asia Cup logo unveiled

At a function held in the afternoon, N. G. Kannan, Director (Marketing), Indian Oil Corporation, unveiled the Indian Oil-Asia Cup 2004 logo and also presented Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan as brand ambassadors for the energy major.

The BCCI has appointed M. N. Dorairajan, Vice-president of Vidarbha Cricket Association, as the manager of the team for the July 16-August 1 event.

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