This latest Ganguly controversy reminded me of the ‘Greatness’ of William Shakespeare. In merely describing the psychology of the Roman mob, he made us realize an eternal truth which we keep experiencing from time to time but can do nothing about. The following debate would require an entire book to get chronicled, but this is an attempt to summarize one side of the same. Required – a little patience….
Truth is plural in nature. Not a doubt. There are valid contentions for both sides. While one group considers the legend’s exclusion an injustice, another considers it nothing unjust. Let both sides live with their respective beliefs…there isn’t the slightest need for the ‘’NO DADA, NO KKR” brigade to impose upon the other its impressions.
Right at the outset, I’ll make it clear that I, for one, wholeheartedly protest, not totally the exclusion, but THE MANNER OF EXCLUSION of Sourav. Shah Rukh Khan’s treatment of Ganguly was shorn of the slightest respect for one of Indian Cricket’s greatest legends. He could have taken the path of a Vijay Mallya, who hinted at Kumble of his possible future, post which the latter withdrew himself from the auction and became the Bangalore mentor. Therefore SRK’s actions are worthy of severe criticism. Sourav Ganguly, the architect of “TEAM” INDIA - deserved better. Though, in the past, he has suffered similarly in the hands of Board politics and conspiracy. One fears it may be the same here too.
Coming to the present later, I am reminded of a similar situation in 2005, when a 33yr old Ganguly was dropped as the captain and player from all forms of the Indian side, though he had just begun to regain his long lost batting form, and his captaincy was showing signs of recovery, after a string of poor results, since the Pakistan series early that year. The whole country protested. Everyone was convinced that he had another 4-5 yrs of top cricket left in him. Nevertheless, the great man fought back, performed brilliantly in domestic cricket, and when India’s form slumped in South Africa, Ganguly snatched the opportunity. The rest, they say, is history. One can never forget the reception India got in an ODI versus South Africa at a packed Eden Gardens with the capacity crowd rooting for South Africa (which they won emphatically). Such was the reaction. And I was a party to the above myself.
Fast forward to 2010. A 38yr old Ganguly and a repeat. However, with a difference this time. According to the newspaper I read, which happens to be the most widely read in Calcutta (read Telegraph – 12 Jan), it seems the majority of the public do not mind his exclusion. KKR has a great team this time, especially batting wise – young, current star T20 specialists and a combination of youth and experience. And minus Sourav. Though most assent, many do not. Let’s see why…
Ganguly was the 4th highest run getter in IPL3. Then why not HIM again? The other side says:
1.In a T20, it is the Strike rate which is MOST important – Ganguly has, among the batsmen, one of the WORST STRIKE RATES, not even in the TOP 50. Even worse than Rahul Dravid…refer to the following: (http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ipl2009/engine/records/batting/highest_career_strike_rate.html?id=117%3Btype%3Dtrophy)
2. Even Anil Kumble was one of the best players in IPL2 and 3; still he wasn’t retained this time.
3. He scored runs in IPL3 but since then has failed for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy this year, not managing a single substantial score. In an anti-Sourav establishment, a chance wasted is a chance never to be recovered.
4. Now Kallis, in IPL3 had a lower strike rate, but he is active, in amazing form and overall a much better all-rounder (both batting and bowling) than Sourav- hands down. And he is a part of KKR.
5. Captaincy – India’s greatest captain has not tasted the same success in the IPL. While older captains like Sachin, Warne and Gilchrist have inspired their teams to great success, Ganguly couldn’t – in 2 chances (IPL 1 and 3). And here in the IPL (especially if you are not a favourite of the Cricket Board) you don’t get many chances. While in 2007, he snatched his opportunity in one attempt, in IPL he couldn’t. In the 2nd edition, after failure in the first, when Ganguly was stripped of the captaincy, he sulked, unlike Dravid. However, when he was reinstated, he couldn’t succeed either. A fair chance he got. Also, the IPL2 experience showed that he WAS NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY NOT being the captain. This could be a big reason.
6. Attitude – However, the greatest reason for his exclusion could be his attitude – LORD SNOOTY, as he is known is difficult to handle, for his arrogance. Unless he is the dictator, he isn’t comfortable. Still, he was given freedom in IPL1 and 3, and he couldn’t succeed. On top of that, players like Laxman and Dravid have been chosen because they wouldn’t mind sitting out for a few games, but Ganguly would raise a big hue and cry if he would have to sit out, even due to non-performance (read IPL2) which would upset the dressing room atmosphere. Due to this, not only KKR, but NONE OF THE TEAMS wanted him.
Therefore, these could be legitimate grounds on which he wasn’t retained, though we do sniff some foul play. However, now let us compare the present KKR team (batsmen and allrounders) and see whether Ganguly would fit into the scheme of things. Do keep in mind that Ganguly can only be useful as an opener or at most at number 3.
1. Gautam Gambhir – No way. He is young, active, very consistent, and a T20 specialist too. One of world cricket’s most promising batsmen. A successful budding captain. Ganguly could’nt have been in his place.
2. Jacques Kallis – ARE YOU KIDDING? One of the greatest cricketers of all time, far better record than Ganguly in all forms of the game (batting, bowling, fielding), in explosive form, and younger than Sourav. No way. With Gambhir, the other opener.
3. Manoj Tiwari – a good prospect for India. Got his chance, but missed it due to injury. Has played important knocks for KKR. Has a good strike rate. Can bowl well and is active and YOUNG. Has a good chance of tasting success. Give us a new budding talent anyday (that too from Bengal) than Ganguly (who is surely past his prime). Calcuttans should especially cheer for him. He still could be Bengal’s next big Indian star.
4. Yusuf Pathan – No way! Currently one of the most destructive strikers of the ball, young, very talented and an effective bowler. A no brainer. Sorry Sourav.
So, Ganguly would find it difficult to fit into the top 4 of KKR. Here are the rest.
5. Shakib Al Hasan – A great young prospect, only 23. Ranked by ICC as one of the best performing all rounders of the game currently. Very talented, and most importantly – A BENGALI! Being a highly regarded performer, that too against top teams, fully deserves his place in the side. Cricket is about discovering talent, not ignoring them.
6. Eoin Morgan – KKR needs a middle order finisher and he is that big hitting finisher in the shorter format. Young, rising, destructive and very promising.
Then follow the wicketkeeper and the rest. On a personal note, being the perennial ‘DADA FAN’ I (infact many) would have liked to see him take stance at Eden for KKR, but considering the team they have this year, I wouldn’t really mind watching IPL minus the Maharaja.
And by the way, this is neither international test cricket, nor an international ODI, its just the IPL- 80% business, 20% cricket!!!
People who do support Sourav’s inclusion and an Eden boycott may well have their reasons and sentiments which I don’t intend to disturb or change, but this is another side of the matter which should be considered too.
Ultimately, with us living in such turbulent times, aren’t there more relevant issues to concentrate on? I have witnessed such a hue and cry about this that I decided to express my opinion once and for all. And let us encourage new talent, for we want new stars from Bengal. Like many dadas in the past, this dada is gone, so let’s wait for another to emerge.
Nevertheless, Shah Rukh Khan should learn manners, there isn’t the slightest doubt regarding that. Such dis-respect may boomerang in future.
If I have missed out anything, welcome corrections and additions….
DKS.
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