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The last hour was special: Ganguly
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Sourav Ganguly will
be remembered as one of Indian cricket’s most
significant figures. The left-hander fell short of
greatness in Test cricket, but re-invented himself
to end a very fine batsman, averaging 42.17. What
defines him, however, is his time as the nation’s
most successful captain, when he won 21 of 49
Tests, and changed the image — and the course — of
Indian cricket.
Ganguly spoke to the
media after his 113th and final Test. |
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(Excerpts): On the
decision to retire:
I have had my time. I had a good series, we have
beaten the best team in the world. There were lots
of doubts after we came back from Sri Lanka. But
the way this series has finished, I am ready to
sacrifice a year of cricket for that.
On going out on a high:
India (have) always played well against Australia.
It holds good for Indian cricket in the future but
at the same time, I know my other counterparts
have mentioned it, it shows the seniors are good
enough. My time is up, but Sachin (Tendulkar),
Rahul (Dravid), and (V.V.S.) Laxman are still
fantastic.
On what defined his cricket:
Toughness. It was more than what many people
thought I had. I have had questions asked right
through my career. I am happy that I have overcome
all of them and am here today because of my
ability and toughness.
On the spat with Greg Chappell:
Let’s keep the controversy away, it’s (a) happy
day for Indian cricket. Let’s not bring that
again, let’s respect him. Let’s respect whatever
has happened.
On his legacy:
As a captain I never believed a lot on the drawing
board. It was a phase where we needed to take
Indian cricket forward, especially overseas. I was
lucky to have Sachin, Rahul, Anil, Laxman, (Virender)
Sehwag and Harbhajan (Singh) playing their best
cricket at that stage between 2000 and 2005. We
have always been a strong team at home but were
seen as a soft touring side. That has changed. I
think we are a formidable side home and away.
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On the final-innings
duck: I was more disappointed
with the 85 in the
first innings. I was so close to getting
a hundred. I don’t know whether one duck
made my
career dramatic. It
was dramatic in any case.
On the private Sourav:
I am two different personalities on
and off the field. And
a lot of time in judging me as a
person, they have picked |
up what they have seen on the field,
which is not the right Sourav Ganguly. I am very quiet
and a soft-spoken person.On his favourite memories:
My first Test at Lord’s, my hundred against Australia in
Brisbane and the hundred in Chandigarh (Mohali). It was
my last series and it was important to get to runs
before I finished.
On his last five days as a Test cricketer:
I felt happy the way it ended and the last one hour on
the field was special. Didn’t expect M.S. (Dhoni) to ask
me to captain the side for five overs. I was already
switched off. He woke me up and I didn’t know what was
happening. I managed to do it for three (overs) and told
him that’s his job, not mine any more. I have still not
realised what it means to not play the game anymore.
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