'We missed a spinner yesterday' - Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly steered clear of the Shoaib Akhtar controversy, but still gave the press something to chew on on the eve of the fourth one-day international in Lahore
Anand Vasu in Lahore
20-Mar-2004
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Sourav Ganguly steered clear of the Shoaib Akhtar controversy, but still gave the press something to chew on on the eve of the fourth one-day international at Lahore. In the Peshawar one-dayer, Yuvraj Singh had pulled the fifth ball of a Mohammad Sami over to the fence. At the end of the over, Sami had a few heated words with Yuvraj. Asked about this, Ganguly said: "It's a stray incident, and those things happen on a cricket field. It's not much of an incident. You expect those from a fast bowler and I think it's good for the game. You cannot have people just running up and down and doing their job and being like stereotypes. These sort of things attract people to the game."
The ICC, however, probably won't approve of Ganguly's endorsement of incidents of this kind. The rest of the press conference, however, focussed on the forthcoming one-dayer.
On the coming match
Every match is crucial. So far every match in this series has been crucial for both teams.
Every match is crucial. So far every match in this series has been crucial for both teams.
On whether the influx of Indian fans will put his team under even more pressure
We won't be under any extra pressure. People want to come and watch India-Pakistan matches, so it will be good for both teams.
We won't be under any extra pressure. People want to come and watch India-Pakistan matches, so it will be good for both teams.
On whether losing the toss lost India the match at Peshawar
The toss was crucial, considering the wicket. We came back into the game well when we had them at 170 for 6, but [Abdul] Razzaq and Moin [Khan] took the game away.
The toss was crucial, considering the wicket. We came back into the game well when we had them at 170 for 6, but [Abdul] Razzaq and Moin [Khan] took the game away.
On whether India missed a fourth fast bowler at Peshawar
To be honest I missed a spinner yesterday. We normally don't play four fast bowlers, the only time we did was in Perth. We have two of the best spinners in the world in Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. They have been an integral part of our success in Test and one-day cricket so we didn't play four fast bowlers. Having both of them out at the same time is a bit difficult for the team.
To be honest I missed a spinner yesterday. We normally don't play four fast bowlers, the only time we did was in Perth. We have two of the best spinners in the world in Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. They have been an integral part of our success in Test and one-day cricket so we didn't play four fast bowlers. Having both of them out at the same time is a bit difficult for the team.
On whether India are finding it difficult to finish games off
Yes we are, but at the same time we are hampered by injuries to our key bowlers, especially [Anil] Kumble and Harbhajan [Singh]. They have been an integral part of our success. When you miss your key bowlers, it is going to be difficult, but obviously that's not an excuse. We should have still won the game yesterday after having them at 170 for 6.
Yes we are, but at the same time we are hampered by injuries to our key bowlers, especially [Anil] Kumble and Harbhajan [Singh]. They have been an integral part of our success. When you miss your key bowlers, it is going to be difficult, but obviously that's not an excuse. We should have still won the game yesterday after having them at 170 for 6.
On the Lahore pitch
It's a good wicket, it's got a bit of grass on it.
It's a good wicket, it's got a bit of grass on it.
On the fact that this Indian team has responded well in tight situations
Yes, that's been the trend in the last two to three years. I hope we can continue that tomorrow.
Yes, that's been the trend in the last two to three years. I hope we can continue that tomorrow.
On his conversation with Javed Miandad
Nothing special. I was just asking him how it was coaching this side, and about his playing days. It was just a casual conversation, nothing special.
Nothing special. I was just asking him how it was coaching this side, and about his playing days. It was just a casual conversation, nothing special.
On how playing Pakistan in Pakistan compares with playing Australia in Australia
Australia in Australia is harder. They're still the best side in the world. Pakistan also have played well against us in the last few one-dayers.
Australia in Australia is harder. They're still the best side in the world. Pakistan also have played well against us in the last few one-dayers.
The series was billed as India's batsmen v Pakistan's bowlers. Is that accurate?
I think everybody has contributed in this series. The Pakistani batters have batted well, the bowlers have bowled OK, and it's the same for both sides.
I think everybody has contributed in this series. The Pakistani batters have batted well, the bowlers have bowled OK, and it's the same for both sides.
On Zaheer Khan's form
He's coming back from injury. I've seen him do a much better job in the past. He's been a matchwinner for the Indian team in the past. We understand that he's coming back from injury and just settling into a groove.
He's coming back from injury. I've seen him do a much better job in the past. He's been a matchwinner for the Indian team in the past. We understand that he's coming back from injury and just settling into a groove.