[Interview with Sourav Ganguly, a former Indian cricketer cum captain of the Indian National Team]
[Output of the project]
We all know that Interviewing an eminent person is a difficult task. However, I have tried my best to interview my favourite cricketer.
The final manuscript is given below :
SCRIPT
Sourav Ganguly [1972—-]
INTRODUCTION
At present working as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal and President of the Board of Control for cricket in India Sourav Chandra Ganguly, popularly known as Sourav Ganguly, affectionately known as ‘Dada’ (elder brother in Bengali), is an Indian cricket commentator and former cricketer cum captain of the Indian National Team. He is popularly known ‘Maharaja of Indian Cricket’. During his playing career, Ganguly established himself as one of the world’s leading batsmen, particularly in the one-day format and earned the nickname God of the Off Side for his elegant stroke play square of the wicket and through the covers.
This eminent person gave me this interview at a community hall named, the Peace Garden.
Me : How do you do, sir?
Sourav Ganguly : I’m fine. How are you, Mrinal?
Me : I’m also fine, sir. Nice to meet you.
Sourav Ganguly : It’s my pleasure to give some time for my one of great fans.
Me : Thank you so much, sir. I’m really glad to meet you.
Sourav Ganguly : Thanks! No matter to mention
Me : I’m going to ask you some questions about your cricket life and career and some others.
Sourav Ganguly : Ok! No problem, Feel free and ask me what about you want to know.
Me : Ok, sir! What’s your feeling returning as a host again for Dadagiri?
Sourav Ganguly : Same as I was hosting in earlier days.
Me : Tell me about your experience of hosting for Dadagiri.
Sourav Ganguly : It’s really a great experience for me. I’m really surprised to think that the show hosted by me has gained such popularity. I have gained so much happiness from the show too.
Me : What were the active years of service for Indian cricket team?
Sourav Ganguly : I served for Indian cricket team from 1999 to 2013.
Me : What were your IPL career statistics?
Sourav Ganguly : I scored near about 2000 runs in all my IPL career.
Me : How many runs did you score in the golden era of cricket?
Sourav Ganguly : I scored more than 25000 runs in my golden era of cricket.
Me : How did you manage captaincy as a cricketer?
Sourav Ganguly : I did it as far as I could. It was a fantastic job for me being a captain of the Indian National Team.
Me : Being a batsman of stature and a captain of dominance how do you feel after doing a benevolent job as a team member after a match?
Sourav Ganguly : During my early days I enjoyed playing as a team member and later became a captain of the team. I enjoyed every single match of the team in respect to every player.
Me : How’s the relationship game at the dressing room in team india & Kolkata Knight riders?
Sourav Ganguly : As far as I could I maintained a frankly relationship with players including coaching staff in the dressing room. We played cricket so well that dressing room was just a guest place for us.
Me : What’ s that ‘ God of off side’?
Sourav Ganguly : It means I had a very strong left hand which was used to rotate the wrists for doing the best job on the off side.
Me : What were your solid pillars of batting and fielding and occasional bowling?
Sourav Ganguly : The solid pillars of batting and fielding and occasional bowling were eating out with wife, sun bath with daughter and chiselling with people.
Me : What are the core agendas between the coach, selectors and the captain?
Sourav Ganguly : The coach decides the team, the selectors decide the the team members and the captain plays on the field with the team.
Me : What is your best way to score runs?
Sourav Ganguly : Absolutely offside
Me : What is your favourite shot?
Sourav Ganguly : Cover Drive
Me : Who was called the best bowler in your teams?
Sourav Ganguly : Zaheer Khan
Me : Which stadium did you like to play in your times?
Sourav Ganguly : Melbourne cricket stadium.
Me : As a president of the CAB what is your future plans regarding Bengal’s cricket?
Sourav Ganguly : I believe in groundwork. It always plays a vital role in cricket. And keeping our vision for Twenty20, we are giving our sincere coaching under the experts like VVS Laxman. Now we have some well-performing cricketers on our hands who showed their skillful performance in the last Ranji Trophy Tournament. Though they were not quite successful in the Hazare Trophy, they showed their ability in the 4 ODIs. I believe those players are selected who display an excellent amount of potential in the groundwork. And as we provide them special facilities, we will surely expect the positive results from them. And CAB’s job is to provide them these special facilities so that they they will be able to come out as selected.
Me : You’re saying CAB are taking initiative steps to coach the growing players, and you are playing as a captain of the ship. Am I right?
Sourav Ganguly : Actually this is not only me. There are many who directly or indirectly inspire our growing players to do their best. In those days when I played under CAB, there were scarce opportunities and investments were hard to come by. But now-a-days we provide both to our growing players. The players are going through the test by showing their cricketing skills and temperament. As result they can evidently be developed as a results of playing different, high profile matches in various and tough conditions. At the beginning of the year we had played a pre–season match in Sri Lanka and got a great result. Our players also played in the Ranji Trophy tournament. I believe that our players will never improve if they do not play against players who are better than them. I want to send the Bengal team to England next year. It will be expensive but still let’s see what can be done.
Me : Are you paying your attention to any particular type of cricketer: Fast bowler or batsman?
Sourav Ganguly : Our CAB are paying attention in all the areas of Cricket. Laxman is for batting, T.A. Sekhar is for fast bowling and Muralitharan is for spin bowling. Cricketing talents like Amir Dani or Sudipto Pramanik are being cultivated.
Me : The Indian-subcontinent isn’t so good for pace-bowling, isn’t it?
Sourav Ganguly : Actually in my opinion it’s not right. We are not lacking in skill. It’s our perspective that we must change. Bowlers like Mohammad Sami, Umesh Jadav are bowling in the 140s and 150s mark. We have some good pace bowlers. Dinda is bowling really fast, there’s a boy named Mukesh and there’s Virpratap. There are a few of promising fellows in the U-19 squad too. Only our attitude must be changed. If we are conscious about it then change is possible.
Me : What is the Vision Twenty 20 in your opinion?
Sourav Ganguly : The name exists for its sake itself. There is no time limit. It is an ongoing process.
Me : Now tell me something about the Indian squad?
Sourav Ganguly : Our Indian cricket team is always successful in their own pitches. But it will take some time to be successful in all sorts of pitches. Keeping this in mind, our national squad is ready for going to Australia to adopt to the varied conditions.
Me : How is Virat as a captain?
Sourav Ganguly : He is successful till now. He has played 2 series till now, but if we start comparing him with Dhoni then it won’t be fair. I hope as an astute captain he will show his skills in coming matches. But as a player he is outstanding.
Me : What are you prospecting in the upcoming Cricket World Cup?
Sourav Ganguly : Our Indian National Cricket Team is doing their best. As we have enough time to participate in the world cup, nothing can be said right now. Though I hope India will surely play well. But who knows what is going to happen in the world cup.
Me : Isn’t it correct to assume that Dhoni will not be in the squad 4 years later?
Sourav Ganguly : No, tough to say. Everybody’s body is not the same. He may be able to continue till then. But nothing can be said right now. 4 years is a lot of time. Most of the youngsters will stay.
Me : Are Twenty20 matches harming cricket? What do you think about it?
Sourav Ganguly : No, I don’t think it. Though I think test cricket is the original format where the temperament of the players are put to the test, in modern times, in my opinion, a cricketer must adopt himself according to all the various formats. If he cannot suits the 20-20 format then he will lag behind financially. And that in turn will harm the cricketer even more. To keep all the formats alive Twenty20 Cricket is obviously needed for a cricketer.
Me : Can the temperament put in the test cricket be tested by monitoring whether or not that player is able to adjust to the Twenty20 format?
Sourav Ganguly : Why not? Virat Kohli can, New Zealand team’s Kane Williamson can, Steve Smith of Australia can.
Me : How can they adjust? Any special skill or technique?
Sourav Ganguly : Technique is essential in all formats of the game. But the secret to their success is their ability to mentally adopt a lot more efficiently.
Me : What do you tell about our not following the DRS (Division Reserve System), a modern technology? After all you also…..
Sourav Ganguly : Many things are not foolproof. But my experience with the DRS is very bad. Yes, if the umpires make a mistake then it can be rectified. But it’s not always accurate. It would be better if ball tracker is employed rather than DRS.
Me : Why is that?
Sourav Ganguly : In case of a bat-pad catch or a caught behind the wicket if the ball tracker is used, we can always get an accurate result. But, if the DRS is used, then the chance of making a judgmental error increases.
Me : You have said that the modern format of cricket will keep the original format alive. So what are your thoughts on ISL?
Sourav Ganguly : ISL has rekindled my passion for football. I was pleased to ascertain the Salt lake stadium full of 70 thousand audiences within the gallery. There is no East Bengal and Mohun Bagan match and yet there are 70 thousand people inside the stadium, it’s a fantastic thing.
Me : A lot of people are saying that the quality of the Indian players has improved. But again a lot of people are also criticizing it. What do you think about it?
Sourav Ganguly : In my opinion Indian players should not mind on criticism. They should remember they are bound to improve. No matter how much criticism they are facing. They should just concentrate on their game.
Me : The public image of the sports authorities in India is not very good. As you have stepped into the role of management, I think, perhaps, many growing up players might begin to dislike you. What do you think about that?
Sourav Ganguly : I’m not thinking about it. Actually I don’t care criticism. As I’ve got this responsibility, it’s my opportunity to do something good for the game. In my time I had played for the CAB League. If I had not got this responsibility then things Vision Twenty20 wouldn’t be possible. Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the game and it’s an honour. This job is not my most favourite job in the world. So I don’t care about what people think about me. Still I am using this opportunity to do as much good I can for the game.
Me : As you are doing your best as management personnel are you aiming to become the BCCI president anytime soon?
Sourav Ganguly : I have duties elsewhere. I have a young family. So right now my priority is Bengal cricket and its development.
Me : Thank you so much, sir for giving me your precious time.
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