Random Cricket Photos Post 57
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A lot of people who didn’t grow up following cricket in the early 2000s fail to understand the romance surrounding Sourav Ganguly’s time as India captain. The numbers, in light of what Dhoni and Kohli have gone on to achieve, appear fairly ordinary. Besides, many point out that after assuming leadership, he wasn’t as prolific a batsman as the others were in the Fab Four. Some don’t even put him in the Fab Four.
Truth be told, much of the romance about Ganguly’s leadership actually stems from the battles he fought from time to time. Most people are aware of the battles in the Chappell era but even early in his career, the left-hander had run-ins with the who’s of who of Indian cricket. Right from the beginning of his captaincy tenure, he always seemed to be one series away from losing his captaincy. The enfant terrible was always surrounded by detractors who’d pick something or the other about him as reason enough to strip him off captaincy.
Of all, former BCCI President and Chairman of Selectors Raj Singh Dungarpur, seen here presenting Sourav with Sportsman of the Year 1997 award, was probably the staunchest of Ganguly critics. In 1999, when the left-hander was appointed as Azhar’s deputy, Dungarpur had protested. And once Ganguly did end up becoming captain in 2000, Dungarpur went after him.
Things came to a head during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2001. With Tendulkar, Kumble and Laxman unavailable due to injury, Ganguly led a young an inexperienced side to the island nation with his own batting form under scrutiny. The first Test panned out to a predictable script as Jayasuriya mauled India to outclass the visitors by 10 wickets. Not to forget the contribution of Umpire Asoka De Silva, who used to be quite a handy weapon for the Sri Lankans back then.
Dungarpur pounced on the opportunity to tighten the noose post the Galle defeat. He said, “It's unfortunate but Ganguly has to go right now. The selectors have to take a decision and give the job to Rahul Dravid, who is a keener student of the game. Ganguly is too aloof. That's normal when you don't score runs and can't command the respect of your teammates."
In the second Test at Kandy, seeing India find itself in another tricky situation, Dungarpur reportedly whispered to Dravid, “Prepare to take over." The comment was made in presence of a junior teammate and soon it was in the news. When enquired about it, Dungarpur never admitted making the comment but never denied it either.
On the final day of the Test, with the series and much more on line, Ganguly took his focus off the controversy and did Ganguly things. Set a daunting 264 to chase, he with Dravid blunted a Murali led attack on the 5th day of the match to steer India to a 7-wicket win. Dravid scored 71. Ganguly scored an unbeaten 98 and was denied a well-deserved ton when a young Kaif hit the winning shot for a boundary. And, as if wanting to send a message to the detractors, this is how they ended the match - arm in arm and with a big smile.
Dungarpur had been silenced, even if for a brief while.
A lot of people who didn’t grow up following cricket in the early 2000s fail to understand the romance surrounding Sourav Ganguly’s time as India captain. The numbers, in light of what Dhoni and Kohli have gone on to achieve, appear fairly ordinary. Besides, many point out that after assuming leadership, he wasn’t as prolific a batsman as the others were in the Fab Four. Some don’t even put him in the Fab Four.
Truth be told, much of the romance about Ganguly’s leadership actually stems from the battles he fought from time to time. Most people are aware of the battles in the Chappell era but even early in his career, the left-hander had run-ins with the who’s of who of Indian cricket. Right from the beginning of his captaincy tenure, he always seemed to be one series away from losing his captaincy. The enfant terrible was always surrounded by detractors who’d pick something or the other about him as reason enough to strip him off captaincy.
Of all, former BCCI President and Chairman of Selectors Raj Singh Dungarpur, seen here presenting Sourav with Sportsman of the Year 1997 award, was probably the staunchest of Ganguly critics. In 1999, when the left-hander was appointed as Azhar’s deputy, Dungarpur had protested. And once Ganguly did end up becoming captain in 2000, Dungarpur went after him.
Things came to a head during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2001. With Tendulkar, Kumble and Laxman unavailable due to injury, Ganguly led a young an inexperienced side to the island nation with his own batting form under scrutiny. The first Test panned out to a predictable script as Jayasuriya mauled India to outclass the visitors by 10 wickets. Not to forget the contribution of Umpire Asoka De Silva, who used to be quite a handy weapon for the Sri Lankans back then.
Dungarpur pounced on the opportunity to tighten the noose post the Galle defeat. He said, “It's unfortunate but Ganguly has to go right now. The selectors have to take a decision and give the job to Rahul Dravid, who is a keener student of the game. Ganguly is too aloof. That's normal when you don't score runs and can't command the respect of your teammates."
In the second Test at Kandy, seeing India find itself in another tricky situation, Dungarpur reportedly whispered to Dravid, “Prepare to take over." The comment was made in presence of a junior teammate and soon it was in the news. When enquired about it, Dungarpur never admitted making the comment but never denied it either.
On the final day of the Test, with the series and much more on line, Ganguly took his focus off the controversy and did Ganguly things. Set a daunting 264 to chase, he with Dravid blunted a Murali led attack on the 5th day of the match to steer India to a 7-wicket win. Dravid scored 71. Ganguly scored an unbeaten 98 and was denied a well-deserved ton when a young Kaif hit the winning shot for a boundary. And, as if wanting to send a message to the detractors, this is how they ended the match - arm in arm and with a big smile.
Dungarpur had been silenced, even if for a brief while.
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