Ganguly - 'My future is up to the selectors'
Sourav Ganguly on defeat at Bangalore
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan at Bangalore
28-Mar-2005
Sourav Ganguly was booed off the ground after India's capitulation in the third Test at Bangalore, and cut a forlorn figure as he spoke to the press afterwards.
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On the decisive moment of the game
We lost only one wicket before lunch and were in a good position to save the game. But a combination of a few good balls and bad batting cost us the game. Pakistan also bowled really well.
We lost only one wicket before lunch and were in a good position to save the game. But a combination of a few good balls and bad batting cost us the game. Pakistan also bowled really well.
On the pitch on the fifth day
The odd ball did turn but we have played on poorer wickets before and done well.
The odd ball did turn but we have played on poorer wickets before and done well.
On why he stood his ground after being bowled
I didn't know what happened. I hadn't heard the ball hitting the stumps and I was waiting for the umpire's confirmation.
I didn't know what happened. I hadn't heard the ball hitting the stumps and I was waiting for the umpire's confirmation.
On the team strategy completely changing after Sehwag's dismissal
We had decided to play normal cricket and weren't thinking about the target. After lunch we got a bit defensive and lost a few wickets as a result. It wasn't a conscious effort to get defensive but it cost us the game.
We had decided to play normal cricket and weren't thinking about the target. After lunch we got a bit defensive and lost a few wickets as a result. It wasn't a conscious effort to get defensive but it cost us the game.
On his analysis of the series
We played well in the first two Tests but put in a poor performance here. It was disappointing to lose after being up.
We played well in the first two Tests but put in a poor performance here. It was disappointing to lose after being up.
On the toss
It's always important in the subcontinent and batting on the fifth day is never easy. But again it wasn't too bad a toss to lose.
It's always important in the subcontinent and batting on the fifth day is never easy. But again it wasn't too bad a toss to lose.
On whether there were any instructions given to Tendulkar at tea
Nothing specific. He's a great player and doesn't need too many instructions. But we had lost quite a few wickets in the second session and couldn't hold on in the end.
Nothing specific. He's a great player and doesn't need too many instructions. But we had lost quite a few wickets in the second session and couldn't hold on in the end.
On his team's inability to bat through the day
There have been situations where we have done it in the past in Nottingham and Port Elizabeth. When I went out to bat I just wanted to play my game and not worry about anything else.
There have been situations where we have done it in the past in Nottingham and Port Elizabeth. When I went out to bat I just wanted to play my game and not worry about anything else.
On the future of his captaincy
That's for the selectors to decide. I have captained in 40-odd Tests and done well. So it's up to them.
That's for the selectors to decide. I have captained in 40-odd Tests and done well. So it's up to them.
On the turning point
Sehwag's run-out was crucial.
Sehwag's run-out was crucial.
On India's Test performance after their tour to Pakistan last year
We've done well as a Test side. We lost to a strong Australian team but won the next two series and drew this.
We've done well as a Test side. We lost to a strong Australian team but won the next two series and drew this.
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is on the staff of Cricinfo.