The Hindu : Sport : Opening with Sehwag was the most significant decision: Ganguly

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Opening with Sehwag was the most significant decision: Ganguly

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Sourav Ganguly, India’s most successful Test captain, has said that asking Virender Sehwag to open the batting was his most significant decision.

“Look at Sehwag’s performances as an opener,” Ganguly said in an interview with CNN-IBN. “He’s probably been the biggest addition to Indian batting. From a middle order batsman to going up and opening, and being so successful is phenomenal. He probably deserves the most kudos as a player.”

Biggest regret

Ganguly, who retired after the fourth Test against Australia in Nagpur, said his biggest regret involved the man who had retired after the third Test. “There were times when I couldn’t fit Anil (Kumble) into the first XI; he’s never been left out of the 14, that’s probably the regret as a captain. Along with Sachin (Tendulkar) he is the greatest match-winner for India.”

The 36-year-old was moved by the touching farewell. “It was pretty emotional,” he said. “I had gone to do an interview so my wife took a T-shirt out of my bag and quietly asked all the boys to sign it. It was a nice gesture from her. It was the first time I found her so interested in the game. They are a fantastic bunch of boys. You hear a lot of things when things don’t go well, but unless and until you actually are in the dressing room you don’t know what it’s all about.”

Backs Dravid

Asked about Rahul Dravid’s barren run, Ganguly said, “I’m sure Rahul Dravid will sort his game out. When you perform for 13-14 years, it just doesn’t go away overnight. Everybody must realise, the selectors, the board and the fans that when you play for so long you will have tough times. You will all have bad series because you are human. I back him to do well and get runs against England,” he added.

On life after cricket, Ganguly said, “I need some time off. I need a break from the game, a break from everything. There will be loads of opportunities; we’ll see how it goes. I have to get back to my family business. My father and my uncle are getting old. I have a few other ideas in Kolkata. I’m trying to build a school so I’ll give time to that. I want to do it in a big way so that I can help in shaping careers of young boys and girls.”

CNN-IBN will telecast the interview on Saturday, November 15, at 7.30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 16, at 1.30 p.m.

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