Not seen an Indian team like this in last 10 years: Ganguly

[Trichromatic]

BIRMINGHAM: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that the Indian cricket team has sunk to a new low in the Test series against England and said he has not seen the side like this in the last 10 years. Indians have looked completely off-colour in the Test series so far and particularly in the third Test -- dropping catches, bowling without menace and letting England take a lead of 486 runs. After getting bundled out for 224 in the first innings of the on-going third Test, India allowed England to score a massive 710 for seven to pose a huge challenge to the visitors to save the match, the series and their number one Test status. "I agree (with the criticism), and let us accept we were very ordinary. The worst day was Thursday (second day of the match where India could take only three wickets for 372 runs from 90 overs). I have not seen an Indian team like this in the last 10 years," one of India's most successful captains told BBC's Test Match Special programme in an interview. Already trailing 0-2 in the four-match Test series with the third Test also almost over for them, the Indian team has been criticised of suffering from fatigue, a lack of interest in Test cricket from players who can, and do, earn much more money through playing in the Indian Premier League ( IPL). But Ganguly believes that it was the lack of preparation which has resulted in India's dismal performance in the series. "You cannot just turn up and win Test series against good sides," said the cricketer-turned-commentator. "I've felt that when we guys from the subcontinent went to England, Australia or South Africa we needed two warm-up games (India had just the one practice match before this series). And look at England in Australia a few months ago: they had three proper warm-up games and had other guys out there as well on standby," he added. Insisting that the end of The England series would not be the end of the careers for the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the former Test cricketer said, "We have a tour of Australia this winter and really need to take the likes of Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman there. "This is the first series we have done poorly, home or away, for the last seven or eight years. It is just one of those series that haven't gone well for India." He, however, admitted that it was disappointing that players of the calibre of Tendulkar, so far, has looked so ordinary. "But, yes, it is disappointing because I can tell you that, as Indians, we really look forward to this tour. People like Dravid and Tendulkar take a lot of pride in performing over here. "Test cricket matters to us. Indian people still want their team to be No 1 in Test cricket. The World Cup is special for any country. But Test cricket is the format of the game," he insisted. Ganguly said while the new coach Duncan Fletcher might be finding it difficult to deal with huge personalities in the dressing room but maintained that once everything starts to fall in place, the coach could be in for a treat. "These are very mature boys. And I guarantee you, Duncan Fletcher will have a good time looking after them. He's had a tough time so far this series. But I bet once they start winning he will have a great time because they are well behaved, professional people," Ganguly said.

TOI

[Cricket Tragic]

I was watching the game and went on Cricinfo and saw Aggers tweet about the interview during the lunch break. So I actually heard what he said. Interesting that ToI left out one of the things he said about the circus league. :hehe:

[Guest Gunner]

Make that 12 years, this level of ineptitude was last seen in the Australian summer of 1999.

[Stuge]

I feel this will continue now .We will do good in ODIs and T20 where these new players are good at . Once old players leave the test arena, its all curtains for India team in Tests specially .

[Trichromatic]

Interesting that ToI left out one of the things he said about the circus league. :hehe:

What was he saying? Players are under lot of pressure in IPL. Franchise force them to do well, win the match. Few players like Sachin can get bit relief because their presence bring brand value. For rest of the players it's very tough especially for bowlers. Is there anything which I missed?

[Andy]

I was watching the game and went on Cricinfo and saw Aggers tweet about the interview during the lunch break. So I actually heard what he said. Interesting that ToI left out one of the things he said about the circus league. :hehe:

So this one is an OTT Report? I missed out on that interview.

[Cricket Tragic]

What was he saying? Players are under lot of pressure in IPL. Franchise force them to do well, win the match. Few players like Sachin can get bit relief because their presence bring brand value. For rest of the players it's very tough especially for bowlers. Is there anything which I missed?

So this one is an OTT Report? I missed out on that interview.

He said that sportsmen should be paid well since their careers were short and that the circus was good in this regard but he didn't appear to rate the tournament when it comes to the quality of cricket played. He actually said that after playing circus league games, he has often walked off feeling like he has achieved nothing but that is something that never happens in test cricket. He also called it "easy cricket".

[Trichromatic]

He said that sportsmen should be paid well since their careers were short and that the circus was good in this regard but he didn't appear to rate the tournament when it comes to the quality of cricket played. He actually said that after playing circus league games, he has often walked off feeling like he has achieved nothing but that is something that never happens in test cricket. He also called it "easy cricket".

That's not too difficult to understand. IPL and T20 tournament don't give you opportunity to improve yourself. Apart from giving players a chance, such cricket has done nothing good for players. In fact seniors lose their time, fitness from such cricket and it eats up the season which could have been used for FC cricket.

[IKnowU]

Or how about acknowledging the England team that they are actually good? Too many delusioned people dismissing the performances of the english. Half the problems we are facing atm have been around for the last few years. They have just been exposed this series, yet go out of the way to blame IPL, or lack of enthusiasm or confidence :headshake:

[koolkarts]

Or how about acknowledging the England team that they are actually good? Too many delusioned people dismissing the performances of the english. Half the problems we are facing atm have been around for the last few years. They have just been exposed this series, yet go out of the way to blame IPL, or lack of enthusiasm or confidence :headshake:

The BCCI is loaded with cash. All it takes is a decent enough money incentive to drive away people from the IPL and to the Test arena. They BCCI should pay the 1.5m salary pro rota (so even more for a year as opposed to 6 weeks) to test players in India. Yeah it sounds like a ridiculous salary, but it's the only way i see players actually caring more about Test cricket. The youngsters will still play in the IPL, but they will also want to progress to Test cricket, where they can earn that salary all year round. It's going to be a huge decision, but I really think it'll pay off. People will focus more on being a good test bowler/batsman, as opposed to being limited over cricketers first. The next group of Rainas etc, will deliberately invest time in being capable at the short ball, while also working on the IPL style play, and will be rewarded for it. What it requires however, is for our BCCI to have some balls, and not sit on so much cash. The IPL should subsidise Indian Test cricket, not tax it!

[Spiderguy252]

I wish Ganguly were captain again.

[Andy]

I wish Ganguly were captain again.

I wish Kapil Dev was bowling in place of Shreeshant.

[Midfielder]

Let us not pick on Sree alone. Pretty much everyone failed. Focussing on one person will not solve the problem. Dada as usual is right.

[Asoka]

Never seen a top 8 team like this.