Sourav Ganguly as Team India's coach - the pros and cons

[King Tendulkar]

It doesnt matter what they did in the past. They were in the team despite poor performances over 3 years and a big reason why India failed in tests.

But yes last few years both been very bad

[CSK Fan]

It doesnt matter what they did in the past. They were in the team despite poor performances over 3 years and a big reason why India failed in tests.

You cannot sack all XI at once. And if you had to sack someone from Gambhir, Sehwag, Jadeja and Rohit, whom would you chose and why?

[King Tendulkar]

You cannot sack all XI at once. And if you had to sack someone from Gambhir' date=' Sehwag, Jadeja and Rohit, whom would you chose and why?[/quote'] He is talking about tests and you are talking about odis

[Tendulkar_Bhai]

Yeah like picking Dinesh Mongia over VVS for the 2003 WC, picking Yuvraj as a test opener in place of Akash Chopra, picking Deep Dasgupta as the Indian keeper in 2001 when he had a FC record which read 15 matches, 600 runs@27, sidelining Kumble completely from the ODI setup and even from away tests, continuing to bat at no 5 in tests ahead of VVS despite being in pathetic form for 2-3 years, ignoring Murali Kartik because he sledged him in a domestic match, ..and many similar examples. Ganguly during his days did things on his own like Dhoni is doing, some of those worked some didn't..those which worked have been hailed as masterstrokes, those which didn't work have largely been forgotten. Also remember like the Srini-Dhoni partnership now, during those days, Ganguly had the complete support of Dalmiya and did as he wished.

BIG difference is results under Ganguly were good, so what ever good/bad selections and preferences he had are irrelevant if you are winning. With MSD he is not winning but still has the arrogance and blinded view to stick to his guns. Dalmiya always fought for India and wasnt concerned about sponsorship or big money deals like the current board. And Mongia was always seen as more of an ODI player than VVS, tho in reality they were probabaly the same level (VVS would have been better if given more chances). tbh the only ODI innings i can remember from Mongia was a slow 100 v Zimbabwae!

[vamos_rafa]

BIG difference is results under Ganguly were good, so what ever good/bad selections and preferences he had are irrelevant if you are winning. With MSD he is not winning but still has the arrogance and blinded view to stick to his guns. Dalmiya always fought for India and wasnt concerned about sponsorship or big money deals like the current board. And Mongia was always seen as more of an ODI player than VVS, tho in reality they were probabaly the same level (VVS would have been better if given more chances). tbh the only ODI innings i can remember from Mongia was a slow 100 v Zimbabwae!

Dhoni for the first 3 years had results which anyone could only dream of. Ganguly did many things which were pure BS or simply arrogant just like Dhoni. And Mongia was pure sh!t as a player. And Dalmia Ganguly nexus was as good as Dhoni Srini nexus. It's just that Dada has now retired and no one to think negative about him.

[CG]

Dhoni for the first 3 years had results which anyone could only dream of. Ganguly did many things which were pure BS or simply arrogant just like Dhoni. And Mongia was pure sh!t as a player. And Dalmia Ganguly nexus was as good as Dhoni Srini nexus. It's just that Dada has now retired and no one to think negative about him.

Mongia was also recalled during dravid captaincy.Mongia seemed to have a godfather in bcci or selectors.though Vvs should have been there.Regarding Aakash chopra And yuvi really chopra struggled in many matches and yuvraj could not get in the middle order but ganguly wanted yuvraj so he tried to do a shewag,which failed.Muruli karthik Was victim of time more than anything else.Even after Kumble retired other captain including dhoni have not shown faith in him.Ganguly may not be Right on many times,But comparing his times to dhoni is preposterous.

[maniac]

Even if we put Ganguly on Dhoni on the same level tactically... It's not a myth and as every cricket expert has said Ganguly introduced a sense of attitude in Indian cricket wihich coincided with India's rise. Dhoni has not brought anything to the plate...he has been merely a puppet...first of Seniors and now of Srinivasan. Ganguly has more of a personality and individuality that Dhoni can only dream of. PS:I personally think Dhoni might be a nice guy in real life but one thing he is not is a leader.

[Marut]

Even if we put Ganguly on Dhoni on the same level tactically... It's not a myth and as every cricket expert has said Ganguly introduced a sense of attitude in Indian cricket wihich coincided with India's rise. Dhoni has not brought anything to the plate...he has been merely a puppet...first of Seniors and now of Srinivasan. Ganguly has more of a personality and individuality that Dhoni can only dream of. PS:I personally think Dhoni might be a nice guy in real life but one thing he is not is a leader.

I think Dhoni was nice initially but the power has corrupted him now. Mr.Cool has fallen in hot water and has no answers, and keeps making thousands of excuses and putting the blame on others.

[Vivek.S.123]

Dada for coach and Raina for captain!

[saneindian]

Even if we put Ganguly on Dhoni on the same level tactically... It's not a myth and as every cricket expert has said Ganguly introduced a sense of attitude in Indian cricket wihich coincided with India's rise. Dhoni has not brought anything to the plate...he has been merely a puppet...first of Seniors and now of Srinivasan. Ganguly has more of a personality and individuality that Dhoni can only dream of. PS:I personally think Dhoni might be a nice guy in real life but one thing he is not is a leader.

Just to remind you, same things were said about Ganguly when the Team started to lose regularly post the 2004 Pak series. In fact the 2 minute maggi noodles jokes started doing the round given Ganguly's form. Websites titled ihateganguly.com were created. They called him arrogant, aloof, a politician and all sorts of names. He never refused to accept that he had a technical fault and that was responsible in a slump in form. Then he was dropped and despite a terrible FC form, came back to the side post a closed door meeting with then BCCI president Pawar. All those moves were heavily criticized. But as they say time is a great heeler. Dada made a great comeback , performed again (even though some accused him of playing selfishly post his comeback) and silenced his critics. Ganguly as a leader had his own faults on many occasions and its ridiculous to see him being hailed as a saviour of Indian cricket. IMO we need a pro active coach who works equally hard with the players, is prepared to do the hard yards with the youngsters and is a tough taskmaster. Unfortunately other than being a tough taskmaster, I do not think Ganguly meets the other criteria. Was never known to take practice sessions seriously during his playing days, not sure how that will change if he becomes the coach.

[maniac]

Just to remind you, same things were said about Ganguly when the Team started to lose regularly post the 2004 Pak series. In fact the 2 minute maggi noodles jokes started doing the round given Ganguly's form. Websites titled ihateganguly.com were created. They called him arrogant, aloof, a politician and all sorts of names. He never refused to accept that he had a technical fault and that was responsible in a slump in form. Then he was dropped and despite a terrible FC form, came back to the side post a closed door meeting with then BCCI president Pawar. All those moves were heavily criticized. But as they say time is a great heeler. Dada made a great comeback , performed again (even though some accused him of playing selfishly post his comeback) and silenced his critics. Ganguly as a leader had his own faults on many occasions and its ridiculous to see him being hailed as a saviour of Indian cricket. IMO we need a pro active coach who works equally hard with the players, is prepared to do the hard yards with the youngsters and is a tough taskmaster. Unfortunately other than being a tough taskmaster, I do not think Ganguly meets the other criteria. Was never known to take practice sessions seriously during his playing days, not sure how that will change if he becomes the coach.

I definetely agree with the context of your post...I mean a captain should not select himself if he is not good enough to make it into the squad as a performer. The cliches that give rise to the reasoning as to why Ganguly is ahead of Dhoni is Ganguly may not have been way ahead of Dhoni tactically but the very fact that we were never in this kind of turmoil under him...again I am not blaming Dhoni completely for this mess.The kind of talent pool that came in to the limelight under Ganguly and the very situation in which he was handed over the captaincy reigns puts him high on lot of people's lists. Now for all we know he may have just been a beneficiary of being at the right place at the right time but the very fact that he could influence Team selections and the fact that he was behing the Greg Chappell signing says that he weilded enough power and had the individuality to do so. With Dhoni apart from backing Jaddu and Raina,you don't see a lot of initiatives on his front. I mean Dada is definetely more articulate than Dhoni and this might add to some perceptions but sometimes things are as clear as they seem. Dhoni is a mere puppet where is Ganguly is more of a personality -good or bad whichever way you look at it.

[rkt.india]

I would like likes of Ray Jennings or Kapler Wessels. Today, on IBN7, they said that Fletcher had put some of his clause in the contract that he wont talk to media, wont watch domestic matches, wont participate in selection meetings, etc., then what kind of coach he was, was literally on paid vacations.

[maniac]

I would like likes of Ray Jennings or Kapler Wessels. Today, on IBN7, they said that Fletcher had put some of his clause in the contract that he wont talk to media, wont watch domestic matches, wont participate in selection meetings, etc., then what kind of coach he was, was literally on paid vacations.

To add on-field contribution the technique of batsmen to play both Pace and spin has detiriorated,Fielding in tests has been below-average to poor and bowling the less said the better :cantstop:

[Lord]

I would like likes of Ray Jennings or Kapler Wessels. Today, on IBN7, they said that Fletcher had put some of his clause in the contract that he wont talk to media, wont watch domestic matches, wont participate in selection meetings, etc., then what kind of coach he was, was literally on paid vacations.

:WTF::facepalm:

[Number]

Today, on IBN7, they said that Fletcher had put some of his clause in the contract that he wont talk to media, wont watch domestic matches, wont participate in selection meetings, etc., then what kind of coach he was, was literally on paid vacations.

That's exactly what our Kaptaan cool and his lobby wants from him and the reason why he is there till now despite team and results going down to gutter is, he has done that. This whole appointment of a passive coach who is in retirement and was a ploy by MSD group to make merry on world cup win for 2 years.

[maniac]

That's exactly what our Kaptaan cool and his lobby wants from him and the reason why he is there till now despite team and results going down to gutter is, he has done that. This whole appointment of a passive coach who is in retirement and was a ploy by MSD group to make merry on world cup win for 2 years.

It is crazy calling it the MSD group because if Indian cricket was a videogame,MSD would be a level 2 villian not the actual Boss.

[munafbhai]

I would like likes of Ray Jennings or Kapler Wessels. Today, on IBN7, they said that Fletcher had put some of his clause in the contract that he wont talk to media, wont watch domestic matches, wont participate in selection meetings, etc., then what kind of coach he was, was literally on paid vacations.

:omg: i hate corruption but for flethchers this kind of job ...i will bribe

[vamos_rafa]

I definetely agree with the context of your post...I mean a captain should not select himself if he is not good enough to make it into the squad as a performer. The cliches that give rise to the reasoning as to why Ganguly is ahead of Dhoni is Ganguly may not have been way ahead of Dhoni tactically but the very fact that we were never in this kind of turmoil under him...again I am not blaming Dhoni completely for this mess.The kind of talent pool that came in to the limelight under Ganguly and the very situation in which he was handed over the captaincy reigns puts him high on lot of people's lists. Now for all we know he may have just been a beneficiary of being at the right place at the right time but the very fact that he could influence Team selections and the fact that he was behing the Greg Chappell signing says that he weilded enough power and had the individuality to do so. With Dhoni apart from backing Jaddu and Raina,you don't see a lot of initiatives on his front. I mean Dada is definetely more articulate than Dhoni and this might add to some perceptions but sometimes things are as clear as they seem. Dhoni is a mere puppet where is Ganguly is more of a personality -good or bad however way you look at it.

Post the Pakistan series win, the turmoil had started. If you really start analyzing the series then, a lot of things had started to happen. Ganguly was piss poor with the bat, all sorts of politics talks were doing rounds, him dropping out from the Napour test and then drawing the series against Pakistan and losing the ODI series. Then what happened post that, i.e in SL and Zim has got case studies written over it. Ganguly always had the advantage of having a balanced unit with a set of world class players. So, you would never ever end up with the kind of soup we are in now. This team, post WC has so many passengers both young and old and fast bowlers are made of glass. I agree that from a visionary point of view, Dhoni is not in the league of Ganguly but both are different kinds of leaders. We want a pro active leader and not what MSD is. And I love Dada the captain as much as I like MS the captain. Both have their pros and cons but have worked well for a long time.

[vamos_rafa]

That's exactly what our Kaptaan cool and his lobby wants from him and the reason why he is there till now despite team and results going down to gutter is, he has done that. This whole appointment of a passive coach who is in retirement and was a ploy by MSD group to make merry on world cup win for 2 years.

Really? So MS desperatley wanted to have all those white washes post the WCs and hence got this kind of a coach? Fletcher was Kirten's recommnedation and we followed him blind folded.

[Number]

Really? So MS desperatley wanted to have all those white washes post the WCs and hence got this kind of a coach? Fletcher was Kirten's recommnedation and we followed him blind folded.

Nobody wants poor results but if you don't give a damn about them then that's what you will get. MSD knew he is demigod after the WC win, with sponsorship money flowing over his head nobody can touch him unless results start going down and at the same time a coach speaks up and it creates a Gangu-Chappel type controversy... hence Fletcher.