We Want to be the next Deccan: Ganguly
Source: Cricinfo Date: August 26, 2009
Kolkata: Busy rectifying mistakes that the Kolkata Knight Riders committed this year, Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said his team, which ended bottom of the table in the second Indian Premier League, is gearing up for a complete turnaround in the third edition next year.
"Obviously we have looked at the mistakes that we committed and we are trying to rectify them. But I won't say in public what those mistakes were," Ganguly told PTI on the sidelines of the shooting of his show Dadagiri at the outskirts of the city.
"We want to do better then last time. Just like Deccan Chargers, who finished last in the first edition but won the trophy in IPL II. Similarly, take the case of Royal Challengers Bangalore, they were second-last in IPL I, but finished runners-up this year," he pointed out.
The former India skipper, who is widely tipped to return as KKR captain, sidestepped queries on the much-speculated appointment of a new coach for the team.
"I am not really worried about the coaches. What I am worried about is the team. I am spending a lot of time and trying to get the team right.
"Obviously I know the names of the coaches in contention but I don't have the authority to reveal them. It's Shah Rukh Khan and Jay Mehta who will take the decision but I have a say in that," Ganguly said.
Asked about speculations that Wasim Akram is the favourite to get the job, Ganguly only said that Shah Rukh did have a word with the former Pakistan captain on the matter.
"Yeah, I have good relations with Wasim Akram. He was a great bowler. Though I know him very well but it was SRK who had a chat with Wasim," he said.
ICL players are on Knight Riders' radar: Ganguly
Source: PTI News Date: August 13, 2009
Talking to reporters after the conclusion of Knight Riders five-day camp at Eden Gardens here, Ganguly said, "We will try and get ICL players but there are other teams who will also be pitching for them."
Asked about the chances of ICL players from Bengal, including former captain Deep Dasgupta, Ganguly said, "Yes, we have the Bengal ICL players in mind as well. We are looking for them as I said we are trying to make a better team and everybody will be seen."
The third edition of the IPl will be held from March 12-April 25 next year.
Ganguly’s tips to KKR players
Source: Hindu Date: August 14, 2009
The iconic player made it a point to speak to each and every individual and even told some of the pace bowlers the importance of bowling at the right areas.
All the local players and four outstation recruits – Anureet Singh, Sunny Singh, Mohnish Parmar and Natraj Behera – went through their paces with Ganguly playing the role of a mentor. The only new face was that of Isank Jaggi of Jharkhand, who had one year contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore which has since released him. Jaggi, a free player now, made it a point to attend the pre-season camp with the hope of making it to the side in the next edition.
After the nets session, the players moved into the gymnasium and worked out under the supervision of fitness trainer Adrian le Roux. Speaking to the media after the work out, Ganguly was asked to comment on IPL’s decision to do away with iconic player status. “I have nothing to say on this. It was the decision of the IPL,” he said.
The pre-season camp will conclude on Friday.
Dalmiya does not endorse Ganguly's view on local coaches
Source: Times of India Date: Aug 6, 2009
Without naming Ganguly, who made his debut as cricket administrator in the CAB annual general meeting and threw some tricky questions to the Dalmiya administrations last month, the former BCCI president said the Bengal cricketer is also part of the system.
"He (Ganguly), who had raised the question was a part of the process that appointed (John) Wright and then he backed (Greg) Chappell when he replaced the New Zealander," Dalmiya told a Bengali TV channel Wednesday night.
"It's case of appointing the best for the side and the BCCI too has been following the same practice for more than 10 years now," Dalmiya added.
"Wright was the first foreign coach of the Indian team and the tradition was continuing ever since. After Wright, we had (Greg) Chappell and now have (Gary) Kirsten as the coach," the veteran cricket administrator said.
In CAB AGM last month, Ganguly hurled a few bouncers at the Dalmiya-led regime when he questioned the removal of former India spinner Utpal Chatterjee as Bengal coach despite his role in guiding the side from Plate to Elite Group of the Ranji Trophy last season.
"Why were the local coaches not getting chances," was what Ganguly had to ask and also suggested that national selector Raja Venkat should be included into the state selection committee.
Sourav: A sad day for state
Source: Telegraph India Date: August 4, 2009
“It’s a very sad day for the state… Subhasda’s was such a recognisable face and he always connected with people… I’d say he was a leader of people,” Sourav told The Telegraph.
He added: “I’d met Subhasda just some weeks ago (on July 12), during a charity soccer match at the Barasat Stadium, and found him quite fit then… I’d known him for such a long time, for so many years…”
While declining to talk of the reported differences between him and Chakraborty, Sourav said: “This just isn’t the day (for that)…Administrator Ganguly Opens With A Bang
Source: Indian Express Date: August 1, 2009
Jagmohan Dalmiya and his panel were already elected for one more term. The battle of ballots was restricted to just one vice-president’s post. Nobody cared if Abhijit Dutta, who is from the opposition group, would be pulling off an upset. As expected, he lost. Nobody even bothered to ask him about his feelings. He will now return to oblivion. And probably for the first time, very few waited for Dalmiya’s reactions after a CAB AGM.
This meeting was all about Ganguly. Ever since he stepped out of his brand new BMW 730 LD and strode into the boardroom, he was the centre of all attraction.
The former India captain made a mark on his debut as a cricket administrator. Controversy surrounded his representation at this AGM. He was nominated by little-known Bhukailash Sporting Club, but decided to represent Mohammedan Sporting in the meeting. A few eyebrows were raised. A sting operation by a Bengali TV channel on his Park Street eatery put him in a spot of bother. There was pressure on him on debut. But as usual, he revelled under pressure.
I will be surprised if Dhoni plays at Eden: Ganguly
Source: New Kerela Date: February 13, 2009
Kolkata, Feb 13 : Sourav Ganguly today said he would be surprised if India Team captain M S Dhoni play at Eden Gardens for Jharkhand against Bengal in one-dayer Vijay Hazare Trophy on Sunday.
After yesterday's Jharkhand State Cricket Association's announcement in Ranchi that Dhoni would lead his home state against Bengal, a large number of cricket fans gathered at Eden to inquire whether former skipper and present India Team captain would play domestic cricket.
Barring Tripura match on February 19, Ganguly will play three other games against Jharkhand, Orissa and Assam between Febraury 15 and 21 at Eden Gardens.
Ganguly, who was at Eden for preparing himself for Vijay Hazare trophy, said Dhoni was in Sri Lanka and would soon move to New Zealand and need some rest in between.
''If he (Dhoni) comes here and plays, it's very interesting but if he really does it, I will be surprised,'' added Ganguly.
JSCA secretary Rajesh Verma told UNI in Ranchi that ''Dhoni could participate in at least two matches against Bengal and Orissa before the departure of the Indian team to New Zealand where it will play its first Twenty 20 encounter on February 25.
Sourav Ganguly starts new innings on NDTV Imagine, Date: January 30, 2009
MUMBAI: He is the former captain of the Indian cricket team and now Sourav Ganguly is all set to start new innings as a television judge for a reality show on NDTV Imagine. The prolific southpaw was in Mumbai to shoot the promo for his television show. Facing the arch lights came naturally to dada, as he said his lines with élan.
Ganguly explained, "I am not starting on a career in entertainment. As the captain of my IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, I have been told to select a cheerleading team who will take part in the second season of IPL. Called the Knights and Angels, the show has selected girls from across the country to take part in the competition. We start shooting from the third week of February."
The time off from the game has made the cricketer look rested and rejuvenated. Smiling with all the compliments coming his way, the cricketer said, "The game has taught me a lot. And for this new role, it was Shah Rukh's idea. He is the owner of the team and I am his captain. I will do what is required of me."
The show will have four actresses keeping Sourav company, along with a cricketer from the KKR squad for each episode. Khan and Juhi Chawla will also be part of the television series. And keeping the glamorous quotient high with their acts will be Shiamak Davar, who has been penciled to teach the girls all the steps required for cheerleading. Knights and Angels will start in March.
>Sourav has new admirer,Date: January 19, 2009
Calcutta: State sports minister Subhas Chakraborty on Sunday appealed to the Calcutta University to confer the honorary D.Litt. on Sourav Ganguly for his contribution to the game. Chief guest Chakraborty made the appeal at the former India captain’s felicitation, organised by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), at Eden Gardens. Coming as it did from someone who is not known to have a soft corner for the former India captain, the announcement drew huge applause.
Not long ago Chakraborty had unkind words for the most successful India captain when asked if he would be honoured along with Diego Maradona on the same dais. But Sunday was different. For someone, who has inspired a generation of Bengalis to dream and achieve the ultimate, it was about basking in the glory and reminiscing the good old days.
Sourav arrived well before the scheduled 6 pm start immaculately dressed in a striped grey suit. The backdrop to the podium was neatly done up with a collage of pictures from his playing days. Christened ‘Celebrating a Legend’, the evening started with CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya recalling Sourav’s debut in first class cricket — the Ranji final versus Delhi at the Eden 1989-90 — in his speech.
“Sourav walked in with Bengal reeling at 57 for three. He made a sweet 22 that included five boundaries,” a nostalgic Dalmiya said. “Aptly, he decided to quit first-class cricket playing for Bengal, his 69 versus Goa ensuring our promotion to the Elite group. If the debut innings was flamboyance personified, the last showed his maturity.”
Dalmiya went on to describe Sourav as a “leader who rescued India from a period of crisis”. Chakraborty, accompanied by Dalmiya, handed over the golden bat to Sourav amid showering of confetti and display of fireworks. An overwhelmed Sourav said: “The last time I had so much glitter on me was during daughter Sana’s birthday.
“It gives me immense pleasure to be present here. I’ve spent my entire life at this ground… The first time I came here was when I was 13 and I represented Bengal in a U-15 game versus Orissa. This is one of the best grounds and I consider myself lucky and privileged to have played here. I can’t remember having lost a Test match here,” Sourav said in his sweet speech.
He didn’t forget to thank his teammates at various stages of his career and the officials for supporting him. “Mr Dalmiya has always been a huge support,” he reminded. On his association with Bengal cricket, Sourav said: “It’s an honour to be part of Bengal cricket. I consider myself extremely lucky that I played my last game for the state. I want to congratulate coach Utpal Chatterjee and captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla for putting Bengal back on the Elite group.
“It’s been no mean achievement. They may have lost in the quarter finals but getting back to Elite is in itself creditable after seven of their players had switched over to the Indian Cricket League. He also did not forget to mention his dad, Chandi, on this momentous occasion. “I wish my father was here today… He’s not well and in hospital. None of my family members are here too… I wish he was here to give me the award,” Sourav signed off.
An audio-visual presentation on the icon’s career rounded off the impeccably planned and organised 40-minute felicitation. The documentary presented in detail his glorious career — from failing to make an impact in his one-day debut in Australia in 1992 to the century on Test debut at Lord’s in 1996, from the historic series win against Australia in Chennai 2001 to getting dropped in 2005, from making a comeback in South Africa a year later to going out on his own terms in 2008.
The biggest applause during the telecast was reserved for his shirt-waving act at Lord’s. Former CAB president Siddhartha Shankar Ray and chairman Board of Trustees P.B. Dutta also spoke on the occasion. Guest of honour Somnath Chatterjee couldn’t make it to the function. The Board of Control for Cricket in India functionaries were conspicuous by their absence.
>Dada to judge cheerleaders on reality show,Date: January 11, 2009
KOLKATA: While most Indian players sing, dance and tell jokes on the small screen, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly will be seen in a different avatar - as a judge on Shah Rukh Khan's reality TV show titled "Knights and Angels".
The objective of the show is to select a cheerleading team for Shah Rukh's IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders before the start of the tournament's second edition. Given that the cheerleaders came under a fair amount of fire the last time, Shah Rukh has seemed to capitalize on it and get some publicity and bucks out of it.
The second edition of the mega cricket event is going to unravel this year and expectedly there is a need for a cheerleader's team.
On the other hand, SRK's Red Chillies Entertainment has ventured into TV production too having combined both the initiatives and come out with this first of its kind reality show. Choreographer Shiamak Davar will be training the girls and the show is set to air on NDTV Imagine in March.
Shailja Kejriwal, EVP Content, NDTV Imagine, said, "Things are not finalized as yet. But as we all know Sourav was the captain of Shah Rukh's Kolkata Knight Riders - we are expecting that he would have some involvement in the project since the show is related to the game of cricket.
But, his role is not clear yet. We will soon announce the show."
>Kolkata Knight Riders not keen to retain Shoaib Akhtar, Date: January 6, 2009
Admitting that cricket has taught him "how hard life is", Sourav Ganguly said it's time to give something back to the game as he embarks on a new innings in life.
"My life will begin now. I don't miss cricket anymore. There are lots of things to do in life. I come from a business family and probably I may take up business," he said.
Ganguly retired from international cricket last month and played his final first class game last week for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Plate semi-final match against Goa in New Delhi.
The former India captain said he would now give something back to the game and teach kids of Kolkata whatever he has learnt in his long career.
"I want to set up things in Kolkata which is a special place for me. I want to help kids of Kolkata learn the game," he told NDTV Profit.
"Cricket has made me grow as a person. I come from a well to do family and I would not have been the same person had I not been a cricketer. The sport has not only given me fame it has also taught me how hard life is."
>Too early to call India No.1 - Ganguly ,Date: January 2, 2009
Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, has said India must prove themselves overseas before claiming to be the world's best team and that South Africa had the better team and attack - and the better record, home and away. His comments come when Australia are on a losing streak and their rivals are fighting to dislodge them from the top of world cricket.
"To say that India would be number one, I think it's a bit too early", Ganguly told India's NDTV. "Look at the ICC points rankings... Australia, though they have not played good cricket for the last 3-4 months, are still a few points away from the rest.
"India have a very good team but I believe their real test will be overseas, when India go to New Zealand and when they start travelling abroad. If you look at the last year, India has played a lot of cricket at home."
Ganguly said South Africa were currently the better team after their tremendous run in 2008, and felt India's team and allround attack had yet to measure up to South Africa, who, if they win the third Test in Sydney, will take over the No.1 spot on the ICC Test rankings. "If you look at South Africa's performance in the last nine series, they have not dropped a series. It's been all round the world. They have beaten Australia in Australia, they went to England and beat them convincingly." India played nine home Tests in 2008, winning four and losing one, and six away Tests, with two wins and three defeats.
However, Ganguly was impressed with Indian cricket's improvement in facilities as well as performance, and felt the changes were made possible largely due to the huge revenues cricket administrators in India have been able to generate. "To be honest, the system has improved quite a lot. That's bound to happen. Things progress. Indian cricket has had the luck to have money to run cricket. You can see that in some of the stadiums which have been built, some of the facilities which are being provided to the Test playing centres. We played a Test in Nagpur and that's a fabulous venue for Test cricket."
