Ganguly backs under-fire Patel
Squad announced for the third test at Nagpur
Amit Varma at Chennai
12-Jul-2005
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After a selection meeting that lasted more than two hours, Sourav Ganguly met the press to discuss the team for the third Test at Nagpur. This is what he had to say:
On why the selection meeting took so long
We discussed other things besides the selection. It was a constructive meeting, and a healthy discussion.
We discussed other things besides the selection. It was a constructive meeting, and a healthy discussion.
On Parthiv Patel, and why he was retained in the side
He's had a poor game. That happens to cricketers. Batsmen have bad games, so do bowlers, so why can't a wicketkeeper? I've seen him do much better than this, and I have faith in him. The team has faith in him. Besides, even Adam Gilchrist had a bad game, and no-one is raising any doubts about him, because he is one of the world's best players.
He's had a poor game. That happens to cricketers. Batsmen have bad games, so do bowlers, so why can't a wicketkeeper? I've seen him do much better than this, and I have faith in him. The team has faith in him. Besides, even Adam Gilchrist had a bad game, and no-one is raising any doubts about him, because he is one of the world's best players.
On whether Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh were happy that Patel has been retained in the side
I spoke to both of them before the selection meeting. Both felt that Parthiv should be given another chance.
I spoke to both of them before the selection meeting. Both felt that Parthiv should be given another chance.
On the Test, and whether he feels India were denied a victory
This game was fifty-fifty, in the balance. Anybody could have won. We were well-placed, chasing 200, but it could have gone either way.
This game was fifty-fifty, in the balance. Anybody could have won. We were well-placed, chasing 200, but it could have gone either way.
On whether the game was a moral victory for India
I don't believe in moral victories. Either you win or you lose. The Australians showed character. I've seen a lot of teams get rolled over on better pitches. [Damien] Martyn and [Jason] Gillespie showed a lot of steel.
I don't believe in moral victories. Either you win or you lose. The Australians showed character. I've seen a lot of teams get rolled over on better pitches. [Damien] Martyn and [Jason] Gillespie showed a lot of steel.
On who will open at Nagpur
We've got three openers in Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Aakash Chopra. We'll decide which two to play just before the Test.
We've got three openers in Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Aakash Chopra. We'll decide which two to play just before the Test.
On Sachin Tendulkar's fitness
He's getting better. We've got our fingers crossed.
He's getting better. We've got our fingers crossed.
On this Australian team
They've come here with a definite plan. And we have changed our plan after Bangalore. These days, when teams come to the subcontinent, they are smarter and better prepared. You'll notice that when England came here last, under Nasser Hussain, they had also prepared really well.
They've come here with a definite plan. And we have changed our plan after Bangalore. These days, when teams come to the subcontinent, they are smarter and better prepared. You'll notice that when England came here last, under Nasser Hussain, they had also prepared really well.
On his side
This is a side with character and will. We have done well over the last three years, and we've come back here from a bad three months.
This is a side with character and will. We have done well over the last three years, and we've come back here from a bad three months.
On the next Test
We're going into it knowing that we're playing a top side, and the Australians know the same thing.
We're going into it knowing that we're playing a top side, and the Australians know the same thing.
Indian squad
Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Aakash Chopra, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly (capt), VVS Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel (wk), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik
Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Aakash Chopra, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly (capt), VVS Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel (wk), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik