Sourav Ganguly calls it a day

This is definitely one of my saddest days. It was a normal coffee break at work and when I saw the news on TV that Ganguly has decided to quit at the end of the current Australia series I was in total shock and disappointment.

The moment Ganguly took on the captaincy I became one of his greatest fan. I firmly believe that he was the man who changed the way India played its cricket. He ensured that it was no longer a team which depended on Sachin. He had the right attitude to captain India and some of his achievements were truly inspirational. The road to 2003 world cup final, the India vs Australia 2001 series, the India vs England – Lord’s final, the Brisbane test and the series, India vs Pakistan series.. so on ..

As a cricketer he was fantastic to say the least. Just close your eyes and imagine - Sachin and Sourav walking together to open the batting, those majestic shots on the off side, coming down the track to a fast bowler and smashing him over point, those huge sixes which cleared the stadium with ease when a spinner comes in .. can’t believe we will be missing all these.

He is probably the only cricketer to go through so many ups and downs in his career. He was always under pressure to perform – thanks to the media. I have a strong hatred towards the Indian media who just blow up everything out of proportion. When he was picked, it was a question of how, when he was dropped it was a question of why. The one thing the Indian media must understand that the players are also human. One cannot just keep criticizing them every time they fail or every time a youngster performs better. His comebacks to the Indian cricket team have always been admirable. He is probably the only person who would be able to do it.

To be honest I wouldn’t care if Rahul Dravid quits, I have never been a fan of his game. He is the only player who has the credit of putting me to sleep while I was watching the India Vs South Africa test match in Chennai live. (Sehwag’s 319 game). However, I would be sad when Laxman and Kumble goes and definitely shed tears when Sachin calls it a day.

Its definitely a sad day for the Indian cricket team. For a team without Ganguly is still unthinkable in my mind. Having said that, the only thing which is cheering me up despite his exit is he we will still be a part of IPL.