I keep believing in myself: Ganguly

By S. Dinakar

COLOMBO, AUG. 26. Glorious tales of success as well as depressing stories of failure often hang on slender threads. In cricket, it might all boil down to one stroke, one ball, or even one catch.

Something that teaches the protagonists a lot about a more important journey. Ask Sourav Ganguly what `Life' had taught him even as he endured a frustrating phase and he is quick with an answer. ``Never give up. Believe in yourself. You are only one afternoon away from greatness.''

The Indian captain was speaking to The Hindu a day after leading his team to a stirring seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test at Kandy. And on a decisive fourth day, Ganguly also ended a barren run with the bat with an innings of, both, grace and fury.

This has indeed been a trying period for him, with his ability to lead the national side coming under scrutiny. Despite the often stinging criticism, Ganguly remains unfazed. ``I don't worry about that. I have been appointed the captain of India. I have a job to do. People keep talking in the Indian cricket scene. There are a lot of opinions. I just carry on with my work.''

The topic naturally shifts to his bouts of aggression on the field, that has landed him in trouble with the Match Referees too. ``What do you think of Steve Waugh? Is he not aggressive? There is a lot of aggressive cricket being played all around the world.''

How does he explain the exchange of words with Russell Arnold during the Coca Cola triangular ODI competition? ``Once in a while this happens. It is a spur of the moment thing. As a captain I am trying my best to make my team win.''

`Handling pressure is the key'

He stresses on cricket being a mind game. And the need for the side to be mentally strong to conquer the conditions. ``You have to play the game well between your ears (mind). All the players at this level have the basic ability. It all boils down to how they can handle the pressure.''

At the Asgiriya Stadium on Saturday, Ganguly did handle a pressure-cooker situation extremely well and his strokeful partnership with vice-captain Rahul Dravid took the game away from the Lankans really. The two go back a long way, began their Test careers together at Lord's '96, and made the occasion a memorable one.

Ganguly is amused by the speculation about a rift between him and Dravid. He adds in a jocular vein, ``We're both grown up people, we can handle this. I heard there was a friction between me and Sachin a week ago. Now, it's between me and Rahul. Tomorrow if Rahul takes over, it'll be between him and somebody else. This thing keeps going on in India.''

Coming to his own form with the bat, he admits to being a bit worried since he was the captain and had to contribute. ``I don't think I played my best in the last six Test matches. Got a start in Kolkata (against Australia)... I got a few rough decisions as well. But this is going to happen in one's career, I had five good years. We all have to go through this. Only Don Bradman was an exception.''

On the short-pitched stuff

Yet, didn't he run into problems against the short-pitched stuff, with the pacemen peppering him with lifting deliveries? Once again, Ganguly is defiant. ``I have got runs in both Test and one-day cricket. I don't think I have got that many runs with the pacemen bowling me half-volleys. I think I can handle short- pitched bowling.''

Going back to that memorable run pursuit at Kandy, Ganguly reveals the team played to a plan. ``We had a chat. We decided that every batsman would play a `Test' innings. But if a ball was there to be hit, we would hit it. Like I said, it is a mind game. I was under pressure, but stayed positive. That was the best way to handle the situation.''

His nagging seam bowling too has been extremely handy for India in recent times. Should he not bowl more? ``It depends on the wicket. I have always enjoyed my bowling, there is no pressure on me.''

He is visibly pleased that the youngsters are coming good, with India pulling off an away Test victory without five vital cricketers. ``Obviously you miss your key players. That's a big gap to fill. But the youngsters are delivering. One thing is you got to be patient with them. I am a firm believer in that. By picking and dropping them, you are not doing their confidence any good.''

Asked a specific question about him backing certain players, Ganguly points out, ``All the players I have backed have come along well. Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Yuveraj Singh, Virender Sehwag. These boys are good. Some of them need time.''

Actually, he has a fair record as skipper, India winning six Tests, and losing three under him. This includes a home series triumph over the mighty Australians and two notable `away' victories, Bulawayo and Kandy. Doesn't Ganguly feel that he is not being given enough credit for his captaincy? ``No I don't. I am not in search of recognition as the skipper. Leading India in itself is a great honour.''

When he walks out for the toss at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground on August 29, Ganguly will be carrying the expectations of a nation with him. And we will go back again to those tales hanging on slender threads.

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