M A I N   N E W S

I will tell all to the cricket board: Sourav

Kolkata, September 24
Stung by Greg Chappell’s stringent attack, Sourav Ganguly today asserted that he had an answer to whatever was being said but would place it only before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“I have a lot of things to say, but will say it only before the Board,” Ganguly said at his residence, shortly after returning to the city.

“I will explain every detail on what happened from day one to the last day of the series.... whatever is right or wrong will be conveyed to the Board if it provides me with an opportunity,” the Indian captain said.

Asked what must have prompted Chappell to make these remarks, Ganguly said, “I obviously don’t know why he has done this. I can’t stop Chappell from making comments. That is his point of view. I do what I think is right.”

Treading a cautious path, Ganguly said, “I have got an answer to whatever is being said which I cannot say in a press conference. That will only add fuel to the fire.

“After being around for 10 years and being part of a successful team I cannot do that,” he said.

Asked specifically about the complaints, Ganguly said, “these are all very touchy issues. Whatever I say will be blown out of context.”

Ganguly said he also did not want the rest of the team to be drawn into the controversy over his spat with Chappell.

“I don’t think the entire team should be dragged into it. it was some statement made by the coach. I don’t think the rest of the boys need to be pulled into this. For us it was important winning the Tests and we won them convincingly,” he said.

Ganguly agreed with Sachin Tendulkar’s views that discussions in the dressing room should not come out in the open.

Asked about the controversial omission of Mohammad Kaif from two Tests, Ganguly said, “Kaif was dropped after consulting vice-captain Dravid and coach Chappell. All of them agreed to the decision.”

Ganguly also expressed disappointment at losing yet another one-day final and said the team has not found a solution to the problem.

“To be honest we have not been able to find the solution on how to win the finals. We understand it is getting difficult losing so many (19) finals in a row,” he said.

“I think everybody expected us to win the Test series 2-0 and we did it convincingly. I thought we played well in the one-day competition except the final. We batted well in the final, but obviously could not defend a score of 280,” he said.

Talking about his performance, Ganguly said, “I played well in the Test series and was happy to get a hundred and happy to win both the matches convincingly. That’s what matters.”

On the positives from the tour, he said everybody played their part well.

“Gambhir played well, Laxman and myself got hundreds, Dravid batted well, Irfan Pathan bowled very well.

“It was good to see Zaheer Khan bowl so well. The spinners did not get much of an opportunity because the seamers did most of the damage,” he said.

“Harbhajan bowled very well in the second innings of the first Test at Bulawayo when taking four wickets and in his two-wicket haul in the first innings of the final Test at Harare. But generally the spinners had little opportunities,” he said.

Ganguly also pointed out that Kaif and Yuvraj Singh played their parts well in the one-day series.

Looking forward to the packed international season ahead, the stylish left-hander said the Indian team had to take one series at a time and needed to play good, hard cricket.

“We have to take one series at a time. We need to play good, hard cricket as we will be facing very good teams. We will be playing Sri Lanka at home, then tour Pakistan and play England at home before going to the West Indies. It’s going to be tough and we need to get our act together.

“It is important that the team does well regardless of whoever leads the team or coaches it. The team is more important than the individuals”, he added. — PTI