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Ganguly included in tests
- Thread starter Pratters
- Start date
Pratters
Cricket, Lovely Cricket
http://forum.cricketweb.net/showthread.php?t=7269&highlight=ganguly+dropped+tests
The thread I created where I suggested Ganguly should be dropped from the test XI one and half years ago.
The thread I created where I suggested Ganguly should be dropped from the test XI one and half years ago.
neutralguy
U19 Debutant
just to digress from the topic a little bit. Does anybody know why balaji was not included in this test team and why there were no protests for it??
Mr Mxyzptlk
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Can't answer the first part, but I think the second part can be answered by "Balaji who?" what has he done to deserve protests? He gives away runs at 3.43 an over and has an average of 37+. He may have talent, but why would anyone protest his exclusion?neutralguy said:
neutralguy
U19 Debutant
If that is the case why would somebody want ganguly in the team when he failed with the bat for the last year and half in tests.Mr Mxyzptlk said:
adharcric
International Coach
because ganguly has had an illustrious career which has captivated kolkatans. balaji still hasnt accomplished much, he has talent but he's not particularly in form or fit. if we were to pick a real bowler instead of the all-rounder ganguly, zaheer would be the automatic selection considering his current form.neutralguy said:
SJS
Hall of Fame Member
Finally the hens have come to roost !shankar said:Still can't get over this:
Can't imagine how Zaheer must be feeling about this.
Zaheer(one of Saurav's boys) has been kept out and Ganguly taken in his place because the latter can bat in addition to being a bowler of sorts with a "future" ! And while chosing the final eleven Yuvraj, his other "boy" may have to sit out because dada can bowl in addition to being a batsman of some 'history' !!
When you want to include someone, you can use different criteria not just on different ocasions but even on the same occasion. Same if you are hell bent on dropping someone.
I remember Mohinder Amarnath being kept out for being too young in comparison to some oldies and being too old in comparison to some youngsters !!
I think the selectors might be better off saying, "this is the team and thats it. get on with the game and forget as to why ....!!"
What will Saurav do next if he fails with both bat and ball, I wonder ? Try his hand with the bigger gloves and compete with Dhoni ?? Never know
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SJS
Hall of Fame Member
Some likely scenarios.
You can replace Agarkar for RP in four of the five options or even Kumble with Murali without affecting the main point of the side's constitution.
All these sides barring the first one have been suggested by today's papers !!
Ganguly's playing has been taken for granted by the media
You can replace Agarkar for RP in four of the five options or even Kumble with Murali without affecting the main point of the side's constitution.
All these sides barring the first one have been suggested by today's papers !!
Ganguly's playing has been taken for granted by the media
Attachments
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Pratters
Cricket, Lovely Cricket
From Telegraph Calcutta
Battle ‘won’, war far from over
- Pressure on Sourav bound to grow by the day
Calcutta, Nov. 23: Sourav Ganguly has retained his Test berth, for the first match against Sri Lanka, but as an allrounder and not a specialist batsman.
It’s a crushing demotion for somebody with over 5,000 Test runs and yet another signal from the national selectors that Sourav must perform big if he has his sights on the remainder of the 2005-06 season and beyond.
Predictably, the former Team India captain’s fate dominated the nearly four-hour meeting — a record by itself — in Chennai today.
The selectors (chairman Kiran More, Yashpal Sharma, Pranab Roy, Gopal Sharma and V.B. Chandrasekhar) as also coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid began with a “general discussion” before taking a break for snacks.
That done, the real business started with the selection of the 15 for the last two ODIs versus South Africa. As expected, no changes were effected.
Then began the over two-hour discussion on the 15 for the season’s first home Test.
According to The Telegraph’s sources, Sourav didn’t figure in the squad drawn up by Chappell — he’d left one slot, which eventually went to Sourav, for “any fast bowler”.
The coach isn’t just focusing on the 2007 World Cup, but is “concerned” about Test cricket. Left to him, Sourav wouldn’t fit anywhere.
Dravid, one understands, kept himself away from the Sourav-specific discussion. He told the selectors: “I’ll be happy with whoever you choose.”
At some point, though, Dravid is bound to get firm. After all, in India or elsewhere, the captain’s neck is on the line.
Apparently, Sourav didn’t make any of the seven slots earmarked for batsmen. A suggestion was then made that he be considered as an allrounder.
That ate up time with More (rightly) pointing out that all along Sourav had been picked as a specialist batsman. One other selector held a similar view.
Slotting Sourav, therefore, became a headache with those not favourably disposed towards him being reminded that somebody with a hundred in his second-last Test innings ought not to be dropped faster than a hot potato.
Eventually, even Chappell went along with the majority view. Had a vote been taken, a 3-2 verdict (in Sourav’s favour) was assured if not a 3-1 with one abstention.
The captain and coach don’t have a vote, but their views are respected. That’s how it should be.
Sourav may have “won” a battle — with behind-the-scenes help from backers within the Board of Control for Cricket in India — but the war is far from over.
It’s anybody’s guess whether the deposed captain actually has the mental strength to overcome the pressure that’s bound to grow by the day — till he scripts a memorable performance.
Moreover, he has to share the dressing room with Chappell — quite clearly the boss now. It’s to be seen how the bitterness of Zimbabwe is forgotten.
Not that it influenced the selectors (they weren’t in the know till after the meeting), but Sourav took five for 64 in Maharashtra’s first innings in Pune.
That would have given some satisfaction, but being retained as an allrounder seems to have left him “depressed.”
Asked to react, he told the local media: “I’m not giving any positive or negative reaction. Please allow me to play (the Ranji match).”
More, of course, emphasised more than once that Sourav had been selected as an allrounder and that his inclusion meant (quick) Zaheer Khan couldn’t make it.
Till not too long ago, Sourav was hailed as India’s most successful Test captain. Now, he has to ‘fight’ with protégé Zaheer for a berth.
It’s bizarre.
How the selection committee meeting gets leaked in this newspaper always - dont ask me. But they predict stuff even before such meetings.
Battle ‘won’, war far from over
- Pressure on Sourav bound to grow by the day
Calcutta, Nov. 23: Sourav Ganguly has retained his Test berth, for the first match against Sri Lanka, but as an allrounder and not a specialist batsman.
It’s a crushing demotion for somebody with over 5,000 Test runs and yet another signal from the national selectors that Sourav must perform big if he has his sights on the remainder of the 2005-06 season and beyond.
Predictably, the former Team India captain’s fate dominated the nearly four-hour meeting — a record by itself — in Chennai today.
The selectors (chairman Kiran More, Yashpal Sharma, Pranab Roy, Gopal Sharma and V.B. Chandrasekhar) as also coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid began with a “general discussion” before taking a break for snacks.
That done, the real business started with the selection of the 15 for the last two ODIs versus South Africa. As expected, no changes were effected.
Then began the over two-hour discussion on the 15 for the season’s first home Test.
According to The Telegraph’s sources, Sourav didn’t figure in the squad drawn up by Chappell — he’d left one slot, which eventually went to Sourav, for “any fast bowler”.
The coach isn’t just focusing on the 2007 World Cup, but is “concerned” about Test cricket. Left to him, Sourav wouldn’t fit anywhere.
Dravid, one understands, kept himself away from the Sourav-specific discussion. He told the selectors: “I’ll be happy with whoever you choose.”
At some point, though, Dravid is bound to get firm. After all, in India or elsewhere, the captain’s neck is on the line.
Apparently, Sourav didn’t make any of the seven slots earmarked for batsmen. A suggestion was then made that he be considered as an allrounder.
That ate up time with More (rightly) pointing out that all along Sourav had been picked as a specialist batsman. One other selector held a similar view.
Slotting Sourav, therefore, became a headache with those not favourably disposed towards him being reminded that somebody with a hundred in his second-last Test innings ought not to be dropped faster than a hot potato.
Eventually, even Chappell went along with the majority view. Had a vote been taken, a 3-2 verdict (in Sourav’s favour) was assured if not a 3-1 with one abstention.
The captain and coach don’t have a vote, but their views are respected. That’s how it should be.
Sourav may have “won” a battle — with behind-the-scenes help from backers within the Board of Control for Cricket in India — but the war is far from over.
It’s anybody’s guess whether the deposed captain actually has the mental strength to overcome the pressure that’s bound to grow by the day — till he scripts a memorable performance.
Moreover, he has to share the dressing room with Chappell — quite clearly the boss now. It’s to be seen how the bitterness of Zimbabwe is forgotten.
Not that it influenced the selectors (they weren’t in the know till after the meeting), but Sourav took five for 64 in Maharashtra’s first innings in Pune.
That would have given some satisfaction, but being retained as an allrounder seems to have left him “depressed.”
Asked to react, he told the local media: “I’m not giving any positive or negative reaction. Please allow me to play (the Ranji match).”
More, of course, emphasised more than once that Sourav had been selected as an allrounder and that his inclusion meant (quick) Zaheer Khan couldn’t make it.
Till not too long ago, Sourav was hailed as India’s most successful Test captain. Now, he has to ‘fight’ with protégé Zaheer for a berth.
It’s bizarre.
How the selection committee meeting gets leaked in this newspaper always - dont ask me. But they predict stuff even before such meetings.
SJS
Hall of Fame Member
One paper has reported on who voted for saurav. According to them East, North and Central Zone selectors voted FOR Ganguly.
If true, thats very interesting indeed.
East is taken for granted. Central may have something to do with rookie RP's inclusion over Zaheer and Balaji, but NORTH ?? That's intriguing !
What's cooking Mr Bindra ??...or is it Arun Jaitley ??
If true, thats very interesting indeed.
East is taken for granted. Central may have something to do with rookie RP's inclusion over Zaheer and Balaji, but NORTH ?? That's intriguing !
What's cooking Mr Bindra ??...or is it Arun Jaitley ??
Pratters
Cricket, Lovely Cricket
The funniest comment I found in the paper was:
The captain and coach don’t have a vote, but their views are respected. That’s how it should be.
Afraid there more than any thing. Specially considering the paper wanted Ganguly to have a voting right when captain if I am not mistaken.
The captain and coach don’t have a vote, but their views are respected. That’s how it should be.
Afraid there more than any thing. Specially considering the paper wanted Ganguly to have a voting right when captain if I am not mistaken.
SJS
Hall of Fame Member
Thats very intersting indeed.shankar said:Did they discuss the possibility of picking Zaheer as a batting all-rounder?
Pitting Zaheer's batting abilities against Ganguly's bowling abilities !!
My vote would go to Zaheer's batting because it is a bonus if it works and no disappointment if it doesnt. Ganguly's bowling can be a bonus for the opposition
adharcric
International Coach
indeed it is. how is ganguly picking up so many wickets in domestic cricket nowadays? i'm praying he has somehow turned into a real all-rounder, this would be interesting to watch.SJS said:Thats very intersting indeed.
Pitting Zaheer's batting abilities against Ganguly's bowling abilities !!
My vote would go to Zaheer's batting because it is a bonus if it works and no disappointment if it doesnt. Ganguly's bowling can be a bonus for the opposition
SJS
Hall of Fame Member
To be fair, he is a decent line and length bowler. Swings the ball in if conditions are slightly overcast. Generally bowls in the 'corridor'. His lack of speed can be a bit of a problem if there is no movement. An enterprising batsman can come out and keep depositing him over the boundaries and it is worse than being a spinner due to the lack of a loop of flight.adharcric said:
He is very much like Mohinder Amarnath was during his later years. Surely Ganguly should have bowled more for India in the past and forgetting all the fun we, me included, are making of him today, he could have been more successful if he had taken his bowling more seriously. But he didn't. He was happy that his place in the side was assured due to his captaincy and his batting. Today for him to bring his rusty disused bowling out of the cupboard and hold it aloft as a certificate for him to be included in the team stinks of dishonesty.
As far as wickets in domestic cricket are concerned, they are not always from great bowling. Maharashtra could have been bowled out for a miserably low score but for some slogging by tailenders.
If we have to go by bowling in domestic cricket then Zaheer should have been first choice since he has been outstanding this season.
Further on domestic performance but for that one century, Ganguly's domestic performance with the bat has been atrocioius. Would someone care to go through the figures ? When faced with the first decent bowler of the season, Zaheer himself, in Duleep Trophy, Ganguly bagged a pair in the match.
Its interesting how his past international record is used to support his claim in batting and his current domestic record to support his claim in bowling. This kind of decipt is what bugs me.
The selectors should have had the guts to say that inspite of Ganguly's indifferent form of recent times in international cricket, we feel a player of his calibre cant be ignored in the longer version of the game considering Yuvraj and Kaif are relatively inexperienced in this format. I would have thought that, some people may have disagreed but there would have been a case and I am okay with that.
To include Ganguly at the expense of Kaif and Yuvraj appears unfair but it would not have raised eyebrows, six months back. Thats not a very long period in a cricketers career. I think we should accept his inclusion purely as a batsman. Tomorrow, Tendulkar or Dravid may face similar situation.
BUT there is no need to reinvent himself
NOR does his selection be made the be all of team selection. This way rahul is being put under un-necessary pressure and I would like to see if he will use his prerogative and drop him as he seems inclined to.
honestbharani
Whatever it takes!!!
I still think this will work out. Sourav can be a decent option as a bowler and if he has improved with the bat, then good. I still remember one test in Sri Lanka when he made a matchwinning 98, countering Murali with aplomb. Of course, he had good support from RAmesh, who made a 50 and a atypically enterprising 74 from The Wall, but he was in worser form than he is now and he still played a very good knock. I still think he will be a key player to tackle Murali. And of course, if he shows no real sign of improvement as a player and as a person, then he will be dropped.