QUEOTES ON AND BY SOURAV.....

Queotes On Sourav.....


* The Prince of Calcutta. Two of his special qualities are his intelligence and articulation, both of which have helped him immensely in the world of contemporary cricket. - Geoffrey Boycott

* Getting married to Sourav was always special. Over the years our relationship has become better and better. Sourav is a nice person, though he is a bit quiet. He is quite caring, possessive, thinks a lot about his cricket and tries to improve. -Wife, Dona Ganguly

* He was a brilliant student so I thought that since my elder son would become a player, my younger one could become an engineer or doctor. I am so happy that even though Sourav has achieved so much, we as a family are still the same. 1996 or 2007, as a person Sourav has not changed a bit. - Mother, Nirupa Ganguly

*He may be a celebrity to the world but we treat Sourav very normally at home. - Father, Chandi Ganguly

* Sourav’s greatest strength is his mind. He is hardworking - not only in the nets but also mentally. He bounces back. - Sachin Tendulkar

* On the offside, first there is God, then Sourav Ganguly. - Rahul Dravid

* The great thing about Sourav is that he doesn't let any criticism bother him. He is his own man, and an intensely determined one. He always speaks his mind. His batting is a unique mix of touch and power. When he plays those drives, it's all touch, all elegance. Timing is his gift. He has the ability to not only clear the ropes but even the stadium. Against spin, my god, he is really a murderer! One thing I'd love to have from his game is his the ability to clear the ropes. As a captain, he is always encouraging his batsmen, reminding them of past successes. Sourav is among the best one-day players I have seen. - VVS Laxman

* Sourav is a very positive captain. Whatever his personal form, whatever the media writes about him, he has always been strong, focused and aggressive. Perhaps these are the qualities that make him India's most successful captain. - Virender Sehwag

* Sourav's best quality is that he has the ability to remain unperturbed even when he faces severe criticism. - Javagal Srinath

* Let me be honest to tell you that on the TV screen he looks different. He is a very warm person when you actually meet him. - Mahendra Singh Dhoni

* Ganguly has done a lot for Indian cricket, if you see the last five years' figures he has won more matches than any other captain. - Laxmipathy Balaji

* Ever since Sourav became the captain, I do not feel like a youngster in the team any more. Everybody is treated equally and Sourav himself is extremely approachable and a pillar of strength. Sourav stood by me when I was struggling. I owe a great deal to him for standing by me at the most important time. I can't express my gratitude to him in words. -Harbhajan Singh

* He is the first one to encourage us when we perform well. He is firm but he is fair. He is a very tough and aggressive captain, who is on all accounts, a team man, one who backs his players. Off the field, he is very easy and approachable. He also shows a great interest in all his juniors and their game. When I wasn’t selected for a particular tour of England, Sourav personally called me up and told me how he too had gone through a bad patch and then things had improved for the better, just as they would for me. - Deep Dasgupta

* Sourav’s greatest asset is his ability to communicate. He is a naturally very confident person. He encourages his team, is a great motivator and a born captain. He is not the media’s blue eyed boy because he is a very straightforward person, who never minces his words, instead he talks in a no nonsense manner to the press. He shares an extremely healthy rapport with his teammates. His leadership skills are also vouched for by the youngsters in the team. He has phenomenal brand value. He's the new-age Indian, an aggressive go-getter, full of self-belief, determination. -Ravi Shashtri

* I captained Sourav in the East Zone. He was a majestic player. I have not seen anybody play a cover drive as well as Sourav. He is very busy, nevertheless, he is so approachable that one will always find the youngsters of the team crowding around him and discussing cricket and swapping strategies. - Former domestic cricketer Saba Karim

* We have a young talented side. They have found a good captain in Sourav Ganguly. -Indian cricketing legend Mustaq Ali

* He is a wonderful batsman and definitely the best captain that India can have. So far he has surpassed my expectations and continues to do so. You rarely come across people like Sourav, he is different, he is special, there can be just one Sourav Ganguly. - Indian cricketer Arun Lal

* Sourav is a great captain and we should be PROUD OF such a LEADER. - Kapil Dev

* Sourav is really the best captain India has ever had. -Sunil Gavaskar

* I have known Ganguly as a quiet lad, who always respected the seniors and lent an ear to any advice that came from them. This was the quality that impressed me most in this determined cricketer and I was not averse to giving him a break as early as possible. - Mohammed Azharuddin

* The Bengal tiger always has his tail up, ready to devour the opposition. - Navjot Singh Sidhu

* The best thing about him is his ambition and eagerness to learn. He will be remembered in history as one of the all time best left handed batsmen. He is a player right on the lines of Ian Chappell. He is a dare devil, and doesn't care too much about what the world thinks of him. -Coach of Bengal, Sambaran Banerjee

* Sourav is the number one batsman in the world today! - Tennis champion, Leander Paes

*Besides football, the only other game I ever took interests in was basketball, but never cricket. Sourav is the sole reason why I am a cricket lover today. He has worked very hard to reach the position he is in today and that makes him really admirable. - Best-known footballer and captain of Indian Football team, Baichung Bhutia

* Sourav has given them [the Indian team] that confidence and ability to target teams or individuals at key times, - John Buchanan, Australian coach

* Ganguly is a very good leader. His return to the field brings a spring in the steps of the Indians. He is a great player. - Ricky Ponting

* He’s very competitive and knows what he wants. He has developed toughness in character and that is what is needed for Indian cricket. Ganguly has proved to be one of the best captains. He has now acquired great leadership qualities. -Steve Waugh

* Whatever be the complex situations, the Indian team under Ganguly has moved to great heights. The fact of the matter is that Ganguly is determined to stay focused- Brett Lee

* Whatever I have seen of his captaincy, I liked it- Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sri Lankan skipper

* I respect Sourav Ganguly as a captain, leader, and a good player. - Stephen Fleming

* Sourav Ganguly has been an excellent captain, his record speaks for himself. I found him to be a tough competitor and every Indian should feel proud of Sourav. - Nasser Hussain

* A great captain who is hungry for success and is also an extremely competitive world class performer. - Carl Hooper

* He is a brilliant player and definitely a force to reckon with! - Wasim Akram

* India has some outstanding batsmen and I have always admired Ganguly. - Inzaman-Ul-Haq

* He has got a lot of runs and we have a huge respect for him. - Graeme Smith

* His offside has become so strong that unless he commits a mistake on his own, it is absolutely impossible to get him out in that region. A world class batsman, indeed. - Heath Streak

* Sourav has got a huge role to play in Indian cricket and its success. I hope certainly that he gets back in there because he is a hell of a good player and he still has got too much to offer to Indian cricket. - Allan Donald

* His biggest asset is his freakish sense of timing. When playing his big shots, he could be very dangerous. - Shaun Pollock

* I have seen Ganguly bat and he can make a difference. – Graeme Pollock

* He lends credibility to the batting order. – Gary Kirsten

* He's the type of bloke you would want to have on your side. When you see an Indian side with Ganguly in the line-up, you know it's game on. You don't have to like or dislike him. You have to respect him. - Steve Waugh

* I’ve learnt so much from Sourav. He has played 15 years of cricket. Sitting down with him and getting to know phenomenal. - David Hussey

*We have had a good working relationship. He has got a tough job. We had different ideas sometimes and we got on pretty well. I have challenged him and he has challenged me. His form has been up and down and that can be tough. I suppose we’ve been lucky. Sourav and I complement each other. We are two different personalities. He is softer than me. I probably spoke my mind in the change rooms in a rougher way than him. Sourav and I formed an odd couple but it seems to have worked. - Former Indian coach, John Wright

* A quality batsman. There are a couple of things I like about his batting. He is right up there on my list, as far as offside play goes. The other thing he excels at is his use of feet to spinners. He keeps his head down, has nice footwork and a lovely long follow-through. I really enjoy it when he comes down the track to spinners. In fact, you can safely bet that it would go for a six. - Ian Chappell

* Sourav has done an excellent job of balancing his captaincy with his personal game. He looks like he is enjoying being captain. And effectively, he has lightened the burden on Sachin Tendulkar. -Dave Whatmore

* Ganguly is the new Steve Waugh of mind games. - Ian Healy

* There is nothing wrong with his captaincy. He has marshalled his troops quite well and moulded the side into a winning outfit in the last few years. - Syed Kirmani

* I have the highest regard for Sourav as a cricket player — his credentials are impeccable. The comments attributed to Sourav regarding me are part of a misinformed campaign. - BCCI Cheif Ranbir Singh Mahendra

* I've worked with Sourav and I enjoy his company. I found him to be likeable and a very nice fellow. It will be good to renew the acquaintance. - Greg Chappell

* I’m so looking forward to the 2007 World Cup. I want to see my Ganguly perform. - Actor Paresh Rawal

* Sourav's temperament, passion, aggression and ability to take risks in the role of captain is unmatched. - Bollywood actress Mandira Bedi

* The Indian team does not need any best wishes — they are going to win anyway. I have been close to Sourav Ganguly, and I hope he does well in the World Cup. - Actor Amitabh Bachchan

* Ganguly is equally adept in all departments of the game - batting, bowling and fielding. He has improves our position in the world of cricket. - Bollywood actor Sunil Dutt

* Sourav’s calm and assured presence sets him apart. His captaincy is of a high order but he bats sensibly and reads situations well. I hope Sourav too becomes a World Cup wining captain. -Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar

* I am an avid follower of the game and Sourav is one of my favorite players. He is one of the best southpaws and his powerful cover drives are a pleasure to watch. - Actor Sunil Shetty

* I think he is the best captain we have had in recent times. He is so very competitive and aggressive. And I like it more when he is the ‘bad boy of cricket’ and he gives it back as good as he gets. - Actor Vivek Oberoi

Quoetes On Sourav's Comeback........

Dada was recalled for the South Africa Test Series. Here are the reactions to his inclusion.

* I am very happy that my Prince of Kolkata is back. I'm sure he worked hard for this comeback. - Geoffrey Boycott

* After SA had put the Indian top order to the sword, it was experience that told Sourav to stay at the wicket. Despite being a strokeplayer, he curtailed his shots and copped a few blows. He showed the youngsters that every ball needn't be hit, but you've got to stay there and see that a good score can be reached. - Ajit Wadekar

* Ganguly is a great player and he has led the team to some glorious periods of Indian cricket. See how he helped India regroup in South Africa and he himself emerged the winner. - Kapil Dev

* Sourav played against all the odds and not once did he look tentative in the first innings. By deciding to leave as many balls as possible and play only those he could score against he looked very much in control and it never appeared he was making a comeback. Both Sourav and VVS made use of their experience and applied themselves very well. - Anshuman Gaekward.

* After being out of the game for as long as he has, we expected him to come in and really want to do well. We didn't expect him to come in and give us anything. He and Laxman provided a lot of stability and experience and confidence. Maybe they were a bit soft there in the one-day series. - Graeme Smith

* Sourav has been known to perform under pressure, but he produced a very good effort... As you know, I’ve always backed him. - Wasim Akram seems to forget about once telling Dada to retire.

* Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect of him, once he got picked for the Test series, as he’s known to be soft in certain conditions. However, if he gets more runs in the series, one may have to revise that opinion. - Barry Richards on Sourav's unbeaten 50

* What stood out was Sourav’s calmness... He didn’t get rattled and, as important, was patient... Most batsmen quickly want to reach the 30s, but Sourav was in no hurry... Excellent, really. - Amair Sohail

* Sourav showed character... He stayed composed and fought it out... I’m not surprised as I’ve got high regard for his mental toughness... - Kepler Wessels

* A very, very good innings... I liked Sourav’s approach, attitude and composure... If he continues with this form, he’ll be in the World Cup squad. His experience is going to be handy. - Ravi Shastri

* He's really playing well. There's no doubt about that. His performances so far have been really good. It's great to see him batting well. He's a proven and experienced performer & when he bats well, it's going to make a big difference to the side. - Rahul Dravid

* Ganguly will strive to prove the selectors who omitted him wrong. He still has cricket left in him. Had I been a selector, I would have opted for Ganguly. - Chetan Sharma

* I know he is not the bravest when the ball is fired in short and is bouncing so it will be interesting to see how he stands up to them. - Gibbs

* India needed experience in the middle order which Ganguly has brought in. - Kepler Wessels

* It was a very remarkable innings. Thanks to Ganguly’s 83 and Pathan’s maiden 100, we are in a good situation. - Bhajji on Dada's 83

* In the morning, we were getting good movement but Ganguly played with a straight bat and did not want to be trapped. He was very cautious. - Mornie Morkel, Rest of SA bowler

* Sourav batted really well and he looked very composed and confident. He looks like he's worked hard on aspects of his game. He's applying both mind and method and that's showing. - Greg on Sourav's 83

* Welcome back, mate. Glad you made it. - Chappell to Sourav after his arrival in SA.

* I am very happy with Sourav's knock. He has got runs on the very first match of the tour. I hope he continues to score runs throughout the tour. We always had faith in Sourav. We thought that his experience could make a difference. Today’s knock will not only boost Sourav. - Vengsarkar on Dada's 83 on Day 1 of the tour game.

* He is an established and experienced player. I hope he plays a match-winning knock. - Rahul Dravid

* Sourav must be prepared for some really, really hard go at him by the South African bowlers and it is his ability to hold his ground which would count the most. - Kepler Wessels, former SA captain

* Sourav's return will definitely be good for the team. "He has been a tremendous player. We all have tremendous respect for him. - VVS Laxman

* I am so happy for him. He is going to silence all his critics for sure! - TV Actor, Rohit Roy

* The downslide started with the unsavoury manner in which Ganguly was ousted. Excessive experimentation has led to our dismal show. There are so many players padded up, it's a joke! No one knows who would go where! It is looking like a school team, not the India team. - Ajit Wadekar

* Ganguly is necessary because there is no left-hander in the Indian line-up. The Indians are not forcing the South African bowlers to change their line. - Pat Symcox, former SA spinner

* I perhaps did all what he could have expected from a wife. I've tried my best to be his anchor despite the busy dance schedules. - Dona Ganguly

* He adds experience to a struggling line-up. Having done well here before, he should be handy for India. He has the experience as to how to play in these conditions. He would have done well in the ODIs too. I thought the Indian selectors should have included him in the one-day squad also. - Allan Donald.

* Ganguly will not be able to score runs because the pitches are not to his liking. The conditions are different. Every Indian batsman is struggling and will struggle because there are no Indian-type pitches here. - Barry Richards

* Ganguly is the ideal person to fill that all-rounder's slot. He can add solidity to the middle order and brings years of experience with him.- Chairman of Selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar

* Yes, it was a mistake to say that doors were closed for Sourav. The committee has taken a very good decision by taking Sourav. There is no one to lend solidity to the middle order and he would be the right person. – Kiran More

* Sourav will prove that selectors were right in reposing their confidence in his abilities. – Dona Ganguly

* He has got a lot of runs and we have a huge respect for him. – Graeme Smith

* I have seen Ganguly bat and he could make a difference. – Graeme Pollock

* The right step in the right direction. I'm happy for Sourav and the team. – Jagmohan Dalmiya

* I’m sure Sourav will be able to do justice. I would have been happier had he been picked for the one-dayers as well since his record is the best in South Africa. He has fought his way back and not run away. This is his biggest virtue. – Ashok Malhotra, former India player

* I hope with his presence, India will go back to their winnings ways. – Syed Naeemuddin, Coach, Indian football team

* Good news. everybody will be under pressure, but with the experience he has, Sourav should be able to handle it well. once he gets used to the wickets, it won’t be much of a problem for him. – Pranab Roy, Former India player and selector

* He will lend credibility to the batting order. – Gary Kirsten, former SA player

* First of all, he should have been here for the limited-overs matches and his presence would not worsen the situation. – Peter Kirsten, former SA player

* I simply can't understand how such a good player can be kept out of the side. Building up for the future is fine, but not at the expense of experience. – Arjuna Ranatunga

* The way Ganguly played on the pacer-friendly track in Mohali (in the Ranji Trophy game vs Punjab), he surely deserves a place in the Indian team. – Jagmohan Dalmiya

* Sourav has contributed a lot to India and should be included in the Indian team. - West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty

* As a cricket fan, I strongly believe that Sourav should be back in the team. - CPI leader Brinda Karat

* Greetings for Sourav. I wish him all the best. - Gurudas Das Gupta, CPI leader

* Ganguly has been a great player. He has been picked on some merit that he can bring some stability to the middle order in the Test series. - Atul Wassan, former Test player

* He considers himself a good player, so let's hope he establishes himself well in the Indian team. - Bishen Bedi

* Dada's comeback is nothing but spectacular. Hats off to him for his determination. - Irfan Pathan

* Being dropped as a captain, in Australia that's a death sentence but in India they give you a chance to get back into the side. He has fought hard to get back in there and he is probably batting as well as he has ever batted. That's great resilience, great resistance and that's a good example to the younger players. - Steve Waugh

* Ganguly is the ideal person to fill an all-rounder's slot. He can add solidity to the middle order and brings years of experience with him. - Dilip Vengsarkar

* It was a mistake to say that doors were closed for Sourav. The committee has taken a very good decision by taking Sourav. There is no one to lend solidity to the middle order and he would be the right person. - Kiran More, ex-chairman of selectors eats his words

Quoetes By Sourav.........

* Nobody is a born captain. Most of the time, I have gone on instinct.
- When his captaincy was criticized.

* I know what I am. People can label me as they like but it upsets me to hear the word arrogant being used against me. I am not arrogant. Not at all.
- On being called arrogant.

* He’s a champion at everything. I really admire him. I am very impressed with the way he approaches life.
- On Rahul Dravid.

* The thing I like most about Sachin is his intensity. After being in the game for so long, he still has the same desire to do well for India in any international match. I tell you what, this man is a legend.
- On Sachin Tendulkar.

* I am not surprised.
- On Sachin Tendulkar getting 10,000 ODI runs.

* Now I was not only the Prince of Calcutta, but I was the monarch of Indian Cricket. I could not comprehend the feelings and emotions that were rising inside me.
- On being appointed captain.

* I am here to win games not popularity contests.
- On being criticized by the English media while touring England in July 2002.

* I see things differently after Sana’s birth. An event like this changes everybody and it has changed me too. I have become more mature.
- On the birth of his daughter, Sana.

* We went around for a long time. She is a lovely person and now we are married and blessed with a beautiful daughter, Sana. She is a terrific woman and has adjusted to our joint family so well that she does not even have time for me! So it’s all happy on this front. "
- About his wife, Dona.

* We obviously don't get support from outside, so we support each other and will continue to do so whatever happens in the rest of the tournament.
- On why the ‘huddle’ was invented during the World Cup.

* After all the rubbish that was published in the media, I thought it was all over. It hurt very badly.
- Reflecting back on the disastrous Australian Tour in 1992 where media was full of stories on his attitude problems.

* I enjoy captaincy. A Captain has to take the responsibility of guarding the interest of his players.
- After being named Captain of the Indian cricket team.

* I have scored centuries in matches where Shoaib has bowled and to hear that I'm uncomfortable against him is rather surprising.
- Denying observations that he cannot face Shoaib Akhtar.

* Every individual needs to be handled differently. One person might need a pat on the back. Another, an arm around the shoulder. But to seniors like Azhar, Sachin, Ajay, Anil and Javagal, a quiet word would do.
- On how he handles his superstar teammates

* There have been angry reactions back home and that is understandable because of our poor showing against Australia. But true supporters are this who not only jump up with the team’s victory but also stand by the team in times of defeats. I was shocked and disappointed to hear what the families of Dravid and Kaif have gone through.
- About the reaction of angry fans back home after India lost badly to Australia in the early stages of the 2003 World Cup.

* One off day shattered our World Cup dream.
- After India got thrashed in the 2003 World Cup Final against Australia.

* Blood came out like water as soon as the gauze was removed. This is life.
- Talks about the boil on his thigh that forced him to miss the Mohali Test in October 2003.

* In no other country is a team written off even before its departure.
- Slams the Indian critics who predicted that India would be thrashed by the home team when they toured Australia in December 2003.

* I believe in my ability to score runs and that is what I look to do. It happens sometimes that people get after you. But you have to take in your stride. It’s a professional sport so one has to go ahead.
- After he scored a ton against Australia at Brisbane and proved all his detractors wrong.

* We know, and they know, that we can beat them.
- said a rather cocky Sourav after beating Australia.

* That's in the past now. We mature as time goes on and I've been captain for three years now, so you start realising things and go ahead.
- Sourav plays down his gamesmanship which got him on the wrong side of Steve Waugh during the 2001 series in India.

* You’ve all seen it on TV. We all know the truth don’t we?
- Commenting on a beamer from Shoaib Akhtar during India’s tour of Pakistan in March 2004.

* I am a big fan of Kaif. He bats at no. 7, the most difficult position in one-day cricket and he keeps coming up with knocks like this one.
- He said of Kaif after the ecstatic victory in the 4th ODI in Lahore in the Samsung Cup 2004 that kept India in the series.

* We will try and pull the chain and stop the train midway!
- When asked how his team plan to counter Shoaib Akhtar, known as the Rawalpindi Express.

* To be honest I do not believe in sitting back and taking things which are not right. If it is right, I am up to it, I listen to you, and try to rectify. But if you are not, I am not a sort of person to sit back and listen.
- Ganguly told PTI in an exclusive interview.

* I was probably the most loved man when we beat Australia in a Test series a few years back. But I am often the most hated man in India.
- Sourav said about fans in India and their angry reactions when the Team India loses.

* Don't stand under the sun waiting for me. I am not going to say anything.
- Sourav refuses to comment on his exclusion in October 2005.

* I told my boys that I have kept my record of losing finals intact.
- Sourav Ganguly lets out a wry smile after East Zone lose in the Duleep Trophy final.

* Whatever is appearing in the media claiming he has attitude problems and doesn't have good relations with his colleagues is all rubbish. I myself talked to the senior players and there was not a single complaint against Sourav.
- BCCI President Sharad Pawar rubbishes talks of Sourav being a 'demotivator'.

* Lara is blessed with great ability. Both Lara and Sachin together with Gavaskar are the three legends of the game.
– Sourav on Lara's record 34th Test 100.

* It happens... it happens when two friends fight. I was angry, especially when it came from someone whom you knew for quite some time. You say lot of things when you are angry, but they may be or may not be from the heart.
– Dada on spat with Chappell and patching up if given a chance.

* Then, in the 2003 series (on India's tour to Australia), Steve (Waugh) said that let's be on time for the toss now. I said: 'If you behave, I will'.
- Sourav

* It's true, a lot of people said I should retire but I still feel I have it in me to play those innings again, and perhaps even better ones. Why else would I be fighting to get back into the Indian team?
– Dada on whether he can return to International cricket after being dropped.

* Sourav and I try to spend more time with our daughter and we are more busy in grooming her as a good human being.
– Dona when asked if Sana would be a cricketer or a dancer.

* God has been kind... What else can I say? Nothing would’ve happened without God... I’ve been blessed.
- Sourav on his return to the Indian team in Jan 2007.

* I don't feel any kind of pressure. There would be some pressure as captain but I am going as a normal player, so I am free.
- Sourav before leaving for the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.

* I was training at the Eden Gardens when a local reporter informed me that I was selected. I am happier than the day I made my debut.
- On his recall for the SA tour

* I have made a comeback into the team. I don’t dream of things which are not too close. So, I will just stick to my cricket. - On whether he dreams to captain India again

* It’s on hold till I get big runs. - On whether he is celebrating his return to the team

* Lot of people said I should retire but I still feel I have it in me to play those innings again, and perhaps even better ones. Why else would I be fighting to get back into the Indian team?
– On his chances of making a comeback - Nov 2006

* I hope it continues. When you pick the right team, you are always going to get the results.
- On India's fortunes changing after his return in South Africa

* Since I have played all my life on this ground, it is always a different feeling. It would have been very disappointing if I had missed out. A hundred at Eden is always special. The century here has definitely taken the burden off my shoulders.
- On the ton at Eden Gardens vs. Pakistan

* You could say I’m over the moon... It feels really nice.
- On back-2-back tons

* Everything in life has to end but I think we still have some more time to go. I want to continue being successful... The hunger hasn't died... Form permitting, I intend playing through 2008.
- On retiring on a high

* It is a great feeling. I think it's a huge milestone. Not many in world cricket have played 100 Test matches and 300 One-Day games at a time. So it is good.
- On 100 Tests

* A little disappointed but that's the way life goes. It could have been a very good hundred.
- On missing out on getting 200 & 100 in the same Test

* I haven’t made technical adjustments... The adjustment has all been in the mind.
- Dada on his changed batting technique since his comeback

* I have batted lower down and I missed quite a few hundreds. Me and Laxman suffered a lot, in terms of getting hundreds. It helped that I got to bat at number four in this Test.
- On the secret to his Man of the Series performance

* I do not think I am good enough. Answering questions hurled at you after a tournament is something different from facing a camera for a commercial. I would not really like to turn commentator as other former cricketers do; after travelling for so long, I would prefer to be closer home.
- On becoming a commentator or actor after retirement

* I would like to be remembered as someone who has taken Indian cricket forward…someone who tried his best every time he went out to play for the country.
- Dada

* I wouldn't ever do it again. I am a very mild person, not really expressive.
- On chances of waving his shirt again

* If I am not in a good mood, I will keep to myself. I am terribly sensitive. Over the years, after I got hammered, I have hardened. I still react explosively especially when something wrong happens to anyone, even to fellow cricketers. I hate people treating others badly. But if I do not like someone, I will quietly keep away.
– On how he is as a person

* It's not an issue. They have got used to me here. The people do not barge into my space. They may approach me and chat for a few minutes, but that is okay.
- Does not rue his lack of privacy

* It is not easy living in the public eye… In due course of time you develop a thick skin and learn to handle it. And criticism does not hurt anyone, if you take it in the right spirit. Once I get home, I am completely isolated from what happens outside. I do read the papers and am aware of what happens, but I do not let it affect me too much.
- On living in the public eye

* (Smiles)... Doesn't make me a rebel. There were some objections only because I come from a very orthodox family. I was the first person to go in for a love marriage. Living together, my parents had to face a situation where their son was doing his own thing.
- On marrying Dona against the wishes of his family.

* I let the boys free. I wanted to lead a bunch of fighters. I was very close to a lot of them and they enjoyed my trust. They knew that I was a man who would not hurt anyone from behind. I did lose my temper when I did not see the boys putting in their effort. I do not mind non performance with effort.... But all my complaints and anger would finish on the field. Off it, my reactions were different. I am very hard on people on the field. But once we are off it, I forget the whole issue and don’t bring it up.
- On how he is as a captain.

FOR THOSE WHO CHERISH OLD GOOD MEMORIES - Flintoff Episode

Flintoff ran out Anil Kumble off the fourth ball, and then dismissed last man Javagal Srinath with a perfect yorker off the next.He ran down the wicket twirling his shirt around his head in football style in celebration .

Andrew Flintoff took off his shirt to celebrate after bowling out India's last man.

Fintoff is congratulated by his team-mates after the win

As England's cricketers cavorted with delight on securing their thrilling five-run win in Mumbai, SouravGanguly rose from his chair and kicked an empty water bottle away in disgust.
Andrew Flintoff leads England's celebrations after drawing the series.

England's Celebrations were not a Happy Sight for Ganguly

This is what our hero and the then captain Sourav Ganguly felt after that defeat and the celebrations by England. He admitted in future too that this was a painful moment of his life. But this defeat made him more strong and determinant to beat England and take the revenge and he did that in Nats final.

A Joyful India Pose For Cameras

Here is an a part of the interview of Sourav on the very next day after the Natwest Final win.


Painful memories erased, says Ganguly

London, July 14
Indian captain Saurav Ganguly said India’s sensational two-wicket win over England at Lord’s yesterday erased the painful memories of the one-day series against that team at home early this year.

“I have no words to explain. It has been outstanding,” said Ganguly of India’s victory after having remained literally glued to his seat throughout India’s epic run chase in the afternoon.

It was clear that not clinching the home series against England after leading 2-1 had rankled Ganguly.

For, soon after Kaif and Zaheer completed the winning run, he took off his shirt in the manner Andrew Flintoff had done in Mumbai as England won the nerve-wrecker of a match in the final encounter.

Ganguly admitted what happened that January evening was a painful moment for him as an Indian captain.

He also said the Lord’s win maintained the team’s unbeaten record in a one-day series in 2002.

“We have won every series we have played this year. The word final is missing but we have won the deciders,” said Ganguly, making a reference to critics’ point that India has struggled to win finals in recent past.

This shows his agression and his will to win. He wanted to give it back to his opponents and he did that. That was really the most proud feeling for any Indian supportor.That was something which an Indian can never forget and was surely a moment of proud for us being an Indian who have the guts to reply everything back to the opposition when it comes to the nation’s pride.
But its sad to see that few of our own ppl never felt proud when sourav took off his shirt after that win in Lords nd for them sourav tarnished the gentlemen game's image.
for them, the game's image is more important thn the Country's image. DISGUSTING.

For me Sourav Rox and will keep rocking.

GO DADA GO.........

FOR THOSE WHO CHERISH OLD GOOD MEMORIES - Waugh Episode

This is a compilation of 2 old articles when we really got to see the agression by this Indian Captain, Our Hero - SOURAV GANGULY. He showed the wrold that an Indian too can be agressive when needed and can reply the oppositions in their language. Here are the articles related to his clash with Steve Waugh.
Source - bbc sports.



Article - 1
Monday, 2 April, 2001, 11:26 GMT 12:26 UK
Ganguly winds up Waugh
Sourav Ganguly exchanges views with Australia's captain

BBC Sport Online reflects a growing animosity between Australian skipper Steve Waugh and India's Sourav Ganguly.

On the face of it, Steve Waugh is not the type of man with whom to pick an argument.


FlashPoint: Ganguly Dismisses Waugh at Indore
Perhaps the most committed cricketer on the planet, his approach has rubbed off on his teammates and helped make Australia the dominant force of the modern era.

Although respectful of the game's traditions, he is no stranger to the not so noble art of sledging.

But a Test batting average of over 50 and a willingness to exert every last drop of energy on his team's behalf have won him admirers all over the cricket world.

Waugh has a compassionate side - to the children of the Udayan home in Calcutta he is a hero for his fund-raising efforts on their behalf.

Late arrival

Australian captain Steve Waugh
Waugh: Test defeat left sour taste

It is a different story, however, when he crosses the boundary ropes.

A 2-1 defeat in the Test series in India - after a run of 16 successive victories - has been hard to stomach for the Aussies.

And relations between Waugh and home skipper Sourav Ganguly have now taken a turn for the worse.

Waugh has accused his opposite number of deliberately turning up late for the toss throughout the Test and one-day series.

"There's so much to do in the mornings, knocking up, talking to the selectors, that I may have been late by a few minutes," Ganguly responded.

But Waugh was even more incensed at Indore after an incident in which, he claims, Ganguly tried to claim the coin had come down in his favour, when it had not in fact done so.

Provocation

We're ahead in the series and intend staying there
Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly insists he simply bent over the coin to see which side was uppermost and could not tell whether it was heads or tails.
"I could not be bothered what Waugh says. I am within my rights to seek a clarification from the match referee," he said.
Indian newspaper The Hindu believes, however, Ganguly has decided to give Australia a taste of their own medicine.
His approach is understandable if, as has been claimed, he has been subjected to 'verbals' by the Australian fielders whenever he has been at the crease.
Ganguly's reaction when he dismissed Waugh at Indore suggested that their rivalry has now become personal.
One thing is certain - Waugh will not back down from a challenge.
And like elephants, Aussies do not forget.



Article-2
Ganguly: Aussies acted like schoolBoys
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has accused the departing Australian team of childishness.
Even the toss Caused the Controversy

Despite captaining the side that ended Australia's record breaking unbeaten Test run, Ganguly is apparently still seething with bitterness.
"It just puts me off, they are complaining just about anything and everything," the Sunday Age newspaper quoted Ganguly as saying of the visitors.
"They are supposed to be a good team but to see them complaining every time is just schoolboy stuff.
"There seemed to be just too much of it, which started right from the beginning of the series."

Opposite number SteveWaugh targeted Ganguly even before Australia arrived for their three-test tour.
Waugh expressed concern Ganguly would receive specially-prepared pitches to suit his side as the world champion Australians attempted to win their first series in India in 31 years.
India ended Australia's world-record winning streak of 16 matches in the second test and won the series 2-1 before Australia salvaged some pride by claiming the limited overs series 3-2.
Waugh complained late in the tour that Ganguly had arrived late for the toss "seven times" and that Ganguly even once tried to wrongly claim he had won the toss before the match referee intervened.
Ganguly averaged under 20 with the bat in the limited overs and test series as Waugh's men made their dislike for Ganguly obvious whenever he strode to the crease.
"He is a very seasoned pro and knows the business of cricket inside out," Ganguly said.
"He may have realised here that there are others who can play the same mental game," added Ganguly.
"I don't know and do not care whether he respects me or not. But I have a lot of respect for captains and players around the world.
"There were some words exchanged on the field, but that happens in the heat of battle. Also, we proved that they are not unbeatable."
Waugh said: "We got along reasonably well in the end. It's no good airing dirty laundry in public."

GANGULY - ALWAYS A SAVIOR FOR THE INDIAN CRICKET

• Year 1996.

After Navjot Singh Sidhu, players like V Rathour, S Somasunder, A. jadeja and Nayan Mongia were tried as the partners of Sachin Tendulkar for the opening slot in ODIs. India was facing an accute shortage of a good opener at that time.
Then came Sourav Ganguly, who was dropped from the team after giving only a chance to him in 1992 and was accused for many non cricketing stuffs. A half century in his very first ODI match as an opener provided India the man they were searching for. Sachin and Sourav as openers proved themselves to best opening partners in the world. Later one was called THE GOD OF THE CRICKET and another THE GOD OF THE OFFSIDE. This left hand right hand combination was among the deadliest combos in the World Cricket and was no doubt the fear factor for World's any bowling line up. They were truly the "AWESOME TWOSOME" and are now again back to the business together on opening slot after Virender Sehwag being dropped from the side. A partnership that began its golden journey in late 1996 became undoubtedly the best opening pair in the history of World Cricket that spans over three decades.
Sourav along with Sachin took India from a shortage to records. A guy who once was neglected by the selectors became the savior of the Indian Cricket when India was really struggling with the shortage of an ODI opener.

• Year 2000.

India lost five tests in a row under Sachin ( 3 in Australia against Aussies and 2 in India against RSA ). Sachin stepped down from the captainship. Media reported the groupism in the Indian Team with many senior players in the team. Again a LEADER was needed to set all these problems.
Then again came Sourav Ganguly. He was elected as the Indian Captain to succeed Sachin Tendulkar when he stepped down from the captainship. Sourav played with three ex captains (Azahar, Jadeja and Sachin) and the reportedly called South Lobby (Srinath, Venkatesh and Kumble) under him but he managed it all beautifully well and won the ODI series against RSA by 3-2.
But this was not the end for the problems in Indian Cricket. The match fixing scandal thrashed Indian Cricket into pieces and India had to lose many senior players. Kapil too left the post of coach after the scandal.
Again India was in a big trouble and after the loss of many senior players, all the responsibility to build a completely new team was on the shoulders of Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly.
Then again with the kiwi coach John Wright, Sourav rebuilt the indian cricket team and changed it into TEAM INDIA which was known for its never say die and always fighting attitude. Sourav fought with selectors for youngsters like Yuvi, Bhajji and Veeru for their positions in the team. Sourav lead this TEAM INDIA to the finals of two ICC Championships and then finally to the WORLD CUP-2003 finals.Again it was Sourav who as captain became the savior of Indian Cricket and took the team from lows to great heights. Many of the cricket experts declared the team lead by Sourav (THE TEAM INDIA) as the best ever Indian Cricket Team.

• Year 2006.

Sourav was not in the team as he was again dropped accusing him for a lot of non cricketing stuffs like his policy to "divide n rule".
The young Indian team set a record of continuous 17 wins chasing the target. Everybody forgot Sourav at that time as the team was doing great. But again most of those wins were in Indian Subcontinent. But true picture of the Indian Cricket Team became clear when they had to play outside the subcontinent. Continuous defeats in WI, DLF Cup, ICC Championship in home and then in South Africa. Again Indian Cricket needed someone to save them and then again Sourav was called back. And as a result India again started winning and Sourav became the scriptor of most of the wins. They won test in RSA, won ODI series aginst WI and SL, WC was an exception but sourav performed there too, and now again the test win in England.
Sourav became the savior for the Indian Cricket Team.
He was insulted again and again by the cricket board, was dropped again and again accusing him of many non cricketing stuffs but still it was always Sourav Ganguly who brought the glories to Indian Cricket everytime. He repeated the history everytime. Few people call him the good luck for the team. Whatever it may be but he truly is the SAVIOR OF THE INDIAN CRICKET.

SOURAV – CONTROVERSIAL BUT STILL A TRUE ACHIEVER

• SOURAV'S DEBUT IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

INDIA Vs WESTINDIES at Brisbane - Jan 11, 1992

19 yrs old Sourav got a chance to made his entry into International Cricket when India was 4 wickets down for only 35 runs. Sourav faced 13 deliveries ans scored only 3 runs before he got lbw out on Cummins’ ball, the Man of The Match for the day. He was dropped after that single chance he got to make some impression ans was blamed for a lot of other things.

A young Sourav had to face more than just the frustration of being dropped after one opportunity. Rumors of his attitude problems and lack of respect for the senior players hurt Sourav the most. There were also reports in certain newspapers that Sourav refused to carry drinks on the field for a senior cricketer, which he denies till date. He was given a raw deal on his first tour when some prominent cricketers tagged him to be ‘arrogant’ and a ‘boy with no cricketing talent’. He was ignored for well over four years and many thought that his days as an international cricketer were numbered.

He was just 19 when he was a surprise choice for the tour to Australia in 1991-92 which consisted of five Test matches, the one-day tri-series also involving the West Indies, followed by the World Cup.

Ganguly’s opportunities were somewhat limited and he was not retained for the World Cup.

During the tour, sections of the Indian media were reportedly fed information (or misinformation) about Ganguly and his alleged “attitude problems” by the administrative manager, Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association.

These pertained to Ganguly’s apparent reluctance to carry out regular 12th man chores such as taking the drinks onto the field and also handling equipment such as shoes.

The word was, he considered such tasks to be menial and beneath his dignity.

This is what Sunil Gavaskar (who has since become one of Ganguly’s most ardent supporters) wrote in his syndicated column that appeared in the Indian media on January 22, 1992: “…within the team he seems to be an object of fun because of his reluctance to perform his chores as the reserve player. No wonder he has been nicknamed “maharaj” since he leaves the menial jobs like carrying drinks on others while he sits watching them do it.”


Though the charges were never proven, the mud did stick and the teenager found himself consigned to the backwaters of Indian cricket for the next four years.

Following his triumphant comeback on the 1996 tour of England, he spent the next couple of years trying to dispel what he felt were unfair accusations leveled against him by Mahendra.

One explanation he gave during a TV interview was that Mahendra was at loggerheads with Jagmohan Dalmiya, then the secretary of both the CAB and the BCCI and so took it out on him, being from Kolkata.

Abbas Ali Baig, the former Test batsman who was Cricket Manager on the tour had a somewhat different story. “Sourav’s nickname of ‘Maharaj’ may have worked against him. An impression gained ground that he was perhaps too laid-back. Some of the other players on the tour who also did not get many chances to play the big matches would be up early and were quick to their workouts and ‘nets’. Sourav was perhaps not always one of this overly conscientious lot. Mr. Mahendra appeared to be of the firm opinion that Sourav was lazy, casual and disinterested. I feel Sourav was a victim of circumstances obtaining on the tour.”

A few years later, however, Sourav came back strong and more determined than ever to make his mark in the world of cricket. He made his debut along with Rahul Dravid in the 2nd test vs. England at Lord’s. Sourav amazed cricketers and critics alike when he smashed a century in his debut Test. He went on to score a century in the very next innings as well. More success came his way when Sourav was named ‘man of the series’ in his Debut.

• SOURAV THE CAPTAIN

No one had thought that a lad ridiculed as a non talent, brushed off as being high headed, accused of showing disrespect towards seniors and having attitude problems would one day lead the Indian cricket team. Yet, Sourav Ganguly is now in the hot seat as the captain of the Indian Cricket team. Sourav was appointed as captain when Sachin Tendulkar, shocked everyone by stepping down from his captaincy after India’s disastrous tour Down Under in 1999. As vice captain to Tendulkar, Sourav was the most obvious choice but he had a competition with Ajay Jadeja too.

The 2-1 victory over the Australians at home in early 2001 has since been billed as “the greatest Test series ever.” It was also one of the most acrimonious.


Steve Waugh’s ‘mental disintegration’ plans blew up in his face and for the first time an Indian cricket team was seen fighting with fire.

It all went overboard at times but there is no doubt the Indian captain’s ploy of getting up the nose of his opponents and the captain in particular worked to perfection.

Ganguly became a figure of hate in the visiting Australian media, widely perceived as being manipulated by the team management.

It was the comments of Ian Chappell in a local English daily on the eve of the second Test at Kolkata that saw him responding fiercely.

Chappell claimed the captain was arrogant in dealing with his own players and “that is the biggest threat to his tenuous hold on the captaincy,” claiming he did not treat his teammates with respect.

Ganguly smelt a rat. He blasted Chappell for his comments on the relationships within the team, alleging they had been made “at the behest of somebody else.”

Ganguly’s combative nature has often brought him into conflict with umpires and match referees, culminating in the Mike Denness affair in South Africa late in 2001.

And who can forget that shirt take off incident at Lords by hime after a great victory. That was a best suited reply to the Britishers ( flintoff) who did this in India after “equaling” the series. This act by sourav shows that how much he was hurt by that defeat and how eager he was to give it back to them. That was something which an Indian can never forget and was surely a moment of proud for us being an Indian who have the guts to reply everything back to the opposition when it comes to the nation’s pride.

The cricket world had gotten too used to the stereotype of the meek Indian cricketer. All that has changed under Ganguly, perhaps for the better.

Sourav felt that every young player should play two years of domestic cricket before being selected for international assignments. He also said that every newcomer should be given at least five games to prove himself. Perhaps, he being at a receiving end of a raw deal that threatened to ruin his international cricket career enabled Sourav to understand the insecurities of other newcomers in the team better than his predecessors. Sourav backed the youngsters in the team tremendously and thus, gained the love of his teammates.
Sourav also was not shy of taking on responsibility. He showed that he can be a leader of a team, which has greats like Sachin and Dravid in the side, without any problems. Under Sourav's leadership, India got back the winning habit which the team had forgotten.
Today, Sourav Ganguly is the most successful Indian captain leaving Mohammed Azharuddin’s previous record of 14 test wins behind. Sourav has won 21 Tests as captain, of which more than 7 wins have come overseas! His success rate is an amazing 42%, the highest ever by an Indian captain.
Under his captaincy, the Indian team achieved remarkable heights, including the Test series win against Australia at home in 2001, reaching the World Cup Final in 2003, and winning both the one-day and Test series in Pakistan in 2004.
In just a few years, Sourav rewrote the rules of captaincy. Unlike some of his predecessors, he was impartial, non-parochial, and forever pushed his players to perform better. Off the field, Sourav’s interactions with the media, his fans, and detractors were uncompromisingly honest and earned him the respect of cricket followers everywhere.

His dispute with then coach Greg Chappell resulted in many headlines during 2005 and early 2006. Greg Chappell emailed the BCCI stating that Ganguly was unfit to lead India and that his "divide and rule" behaviour was damaging the team. This email was leaked to the media and resulted in huge backlash from Ganguly's fans. Eventually due to his poor form and differences with the coach he was stripped of his captaincy and dropped from the team.

The career again seemed to be ended and many senior cricketers adviced him that he should quit now but they forgot that he is the same cricketer who was adviced some similar things when he made his debut in 1992.

After being dropped from the side for almost eight months, Ganguly was recalled to the Test team for the series against South Africa in December 2006, after an injury to Yuvraj Singh. And at present he is the most dependable batsman in the team who is scoring a half century in almost every match.

Despite of all the controversies he had in his career, he always emerged out as an achiever.

• LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM BUT U CAN’T IGNORE HIM

He is the man who always did greats for his team but is not liked by many of the people may be because he has the guts to oppose wrong things, may be because for them he is arrogant, may be because he is aggressive. The guy who changed the picture of the India Team and made it TEAM INDIA got insulted by that team itself when he was dropped and it was said that his career is almost over. When he made the comeback, it was said that others may not feel comfortable with his presence or he himself may not feel comfortable in the team as he was insulted and nobody supported him in his bad days, but he still made his comeback and now again is scoring very consistenly and is contributing most to the Indian Totals.

He started his career with controversies, then emerged as a winner and become a very important member of the team and finally the captain of the team. But once his bad patch started, his capabilities were questioned by then rulers of the Indian cricket and he was insulted. In his bad days, his teammates too dint support him.But he still made a comeback in the same team and again proved his importance.

He is truely following Rabindranath’s song “Ekla Chalo Re” (the song exhorts the listener to continue his or her journey, despite abandonment or lack of support from others).

He is an inspiration for his fans.

Alongwith his great allround records as a player, he was a great captain too who took Indian Cricket to great heights and taught India how to be aggressive against any opposition.

May be Sachin Tendukar is “THE GOD” of the Indian Cricket,

May be Rahul Dravid is “THE WALL” of Indian Cricket,

But truly

SOURAV GANGULY IS “THE MONARCH OF INDIAN CRICKET”...