da dobrowin： A tired yet raring to go Indian team turned up at the Punjab CricketAssociation Stadium at Mohali for a practice session on the day beforethe first Test
da imperador bet： Anand Vasu02-Dec-2001A tired yet raring to go Indian team turned up at the Punjab CricketAssociation Stadium at Mohali for a practice session on the day beforethe first Test. After a session of limbering up exercises, fieldingdrills and a long time in the nets, skipper Sourav Ganguly took timeout to answer questions from the press. Here are the excerpts:On how the team feels playing back-to-back series:When we went to South Africa we knew that we had to come back and playa Test series straight away. I know it is hard but I think we’re upfor it.On the effect of the defeat in South Africa on the team morale:We did not play well in South Africa. We have to admit that they werea better side than us, in the conditions. This is a new series. Wehave a good record at home and need to keep that going.On the controversies over Mike Denness and Virender Sehwag:We were busy with the cricket out there. We were getting to hearvarious things from reports. But at the back of our minds we knew allalong that the Test would take place. I was sure that the controversywould come to an end and we would get on with the game.On the effect the controversy had on the team:It’s very difficult for me to say what effect the whole controversyhad on our cricket. Though things cropped up on the fourth day of thesecond Test, we batted really well on the final day to save the Test.We ended up losing the final match after that. So it’s difficult forme to say how the team was affected.His reaction to the team for the first Test:It’s not true that I said I was unhappy with the team. It’s true thatI said that I was not consulted by the selectors. The rest was addedon and I said no more. There’s no point talking about whether I wantedsomeone else. I’ve been given a team and I’m happy with it.On the wicket at Mohali:There’s a bit of grass covering the wicket, but that’s how Mohali hasalways been. I’m happy with it. The groundsman has prepared a wicketand we’ll play on it.On the need for the captain and selectors to be in constanttouch:As a captain you need be a part of selection policy. And it’simportant to be in touch with the selectors as well. It helpseverybody. The statements written in the press are not required atthis stage. Those words weren’t spoken by me.On the England team:They’ve left a few guys back home but the guys who’ve come have got agreat opportunity. They’ll miss Atherton and Stewart but theyoungsters have done well in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the last year.Butcher did well against Australia recently too. Ours is a slightlyinexperienced bowling attack and it looks like we’re in for a goodseries.Whether the team would tone down their behaviour:I thought we were on our best behaviour in South Africa. I still thinkthere needs to be some aggression on the field. I know that there hasto be some limit to this. But this is what people come to watch. I asa captain definitely feel that there has to be some aggression on thefield.Indian coach John Wright spoke of the long term need to improve onvarious departments. He had this to say about India’s repeatedfailures abroad despite success at home:JW: There are two areas we need to work on. Shot selection is one. Weneed to be more judicious with shot selection overseas. Some of ourbatsmen can play wonderful cricket here in conditions where the bounceis a little lower. That certainly is an issue. We won againstAustralia because Harbhajan Singh took 32 wickets. We’re verydependent on the quality of our spin bowlers. In Zimbabwe andparticularly South Africa the seam bowlers struggled to take wickets.We tried different combinations but South Africa still made runs inevery innings. In the long term this is something we need to investin. I’m personally pleased for the boys who’ve been selected for theforthcoming Test match it’s an opportunity for them. The guys whoplayed in South Africa Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan -all have potential and I’m sure they’ll be back.
