Published: May 04, 2011, 12:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 21, 2014, 07:07 PM (IST)
By Sohini Mitter
“Ganguly joins Pune Warriors as (wait for it) Nehra’s replacement! Hahaha. How the times have changed!”
I was in transit, when I saw the above tweet appeared on my mobile screen. I scrolled further down to find a few more tweets on the moment’s ‘breaking news’ – Sahara Pune Warriors signing up Sourav Ganguly for their remaining matches in IPL 4.
For a moment, I didn’t know how to react. Someone asked me, why was I silent about the news? And then, my surprise and anger found expression in a barrage of tweets.
Why surprise? Because, it really doesn’t make sense to rope in an “out-of-touch, retired, already-snubbed-at-IPL-auctions, snooty ex-captain’ – adjectives borrowed from opposition cricketers, insane coaches, cricket writers and egoistic commentators -.at more than halfway stage in the tournament, where the team in question has suffered six successive losses and is resting at the bottom of the points table.
No matter how prolific a batsman and brilliant a leader Ganguly was in his pomp, he is no God to produce magic with his willow, right from the word ‘go’, especially since he hasn’t played international cricket in the last two-and-half years. He retired in October 2008 and after that, the Indian Premier League has been his only cricket appearance.
Following this year’s unceremonious developments at the auctions, where Ganguly was one of the few celebrated names to go unsold, there has been constant speculation on why he was rejected and what lies ahead for him? As the world saw him commentating during the World Cup, there was an unspoken acceptance among his fans, that his cricket career was over and full-time commentary is his future profile. However, fate had different things in store!
Since the start of the IPL, media reports suggested that he might be picked up by Kochi Tuskers Kerala as a replacement for their captain Mahela Jayawardene, who was likely to be called back by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board for national duty. More interestingly, much before the IPL auctions in January this year, there were near-confirmed reports that Ganguly would represent Pune Warriors, going by his increasing proximity to Sahara supremo Subrata Roy. It was surprising, when Pune didn’t opt for him at the auctions. And, hence, this circus now is all the more unbearable, defying logic and reason!
Why anger? Because, as a passionate fan, follower and admirer of Ganguly and his game, I never expected him to go lusting after big money, so as to forget the utter humiliation and ill-treatment meted out to him at the auctions. Why should he accept being an afterthought for Pune, that too as a replacement for Ashish Nehra? How ridiculous does that sound! Is Ganguly a bowler? Which situation are they salvaging? Are they nursing Ganguly’s broken heart? What do they expect him to do, when more than half their IPL campaign is over, along with their chances of reaching the last four? What is the desperation on Ganguly’s part, to make himself available so cheaply? Where has the grace, which was once the hallmark of his batting, disappeared?
Some say he’s trying to prove a point to his detractors. He is the eternal phoenix that rises from the ashes, and this is his umpteenth comeback. There is no doubt that he has been Indian cricket’s most successful ‘comeback man’ and that he has silenced his critics almost instantly with his performances. But is there any point to prove anymore, after being acknowledged as one of the greatest Indian cricketers and captains? Is there any glorious achievement in being tossed around like a ball, which moves from one bat to the other, getting a whack every time? What is this dream that Ganguly is chasing now? Why is he so willing to be the sacrificial lamb?
The theory that the moolah in IPL is an irresistible temptation, fails to convince me in Ganguly’s case. He needs no money from cricket, to lead a lavish life. He never did! He is a stinking rich man, with affluent ancestry, a palatial house, innumerable cars, a thriving printing business, a bucketful of television and radio shows, occasional commentary assignments, local endorsements and much more. IPL doesn’t provide any value-addition to his life, monetarily. Then why is he running after it?
What he needs is not money, but a berth in public’s short-lived memory. He believes that being out of sight is being out of mind! By being in cricket’s glare, as a player who makes an appearance in the field every alternate day, he’ll make sure that people watch, debate, analyse and criticise his performances. He’ll ensure that he’s written about in every morning’s newspaper and talked about in every cricket show. With good performances this year, he will better his chances of getting picked for the next IPL, such that he doesn’t have to appear in tear-jerking ads to say, ‘Hi. Mera naam Sourav Ganguly hai. Bhoole toh nahi’
Despite being an ardent fan, partly a fanatic, I don’t expect Ganguly to flourish with the bat this season. He might play some good knocks here and there, and take a few wickets with his slow seamers, but he will not do anything incredible so as to put Pune on top of the table! Match practice counts. But again, I run the risk of being proven wrong by him. And if, indeed, he does, I’ll be most happy!
(Sohini Mitter is a journalist with The Financial Express, a social media addict and a cricket enthusiast. She tweets at @Mittermaniac)
