Saurav Ganguly: ‘There’s enough talent, it’s about how India prepares for big events’

He immediately looks Charles up online. Then he gathers himself and says with a smile: “It’s different being back on the field after being BCCI president for three years. But with experience in cricket, I am looking forward to it.”
Excerpts from an interview…
There’s been a lot of talk around workload management of players in a World Cup year…
I think players the players be fine. I don’t see a problem. Yes, there’s a lot of cricket. Cricket sheduling is like that. That’s the way it is. Players will play. I really don’t see a problem. When it comes to the World Test Championship final, they

anyway get 10-day breaks after IPL. I think they will manage. India’s brand of cricket in big tournaments has been up for debate…
India has to play aggressively, especially in T20s. They have the team to do that. A team which sometimes has Axar Patel batting at no. 9 must play aggressively at the top. Pandya batting at no. 6 and Jadeja at no. 7, there’s too much depth. It’s about adjusting to the pressure, knowing your game and batting according to your game. Indian cricket will always have talent and a big pool. It’s the ones who are hungry who go to the next level. It’s about how you prepare for the big tournaments.                                                                                   (Credits-IANS Photo)
In World Cup years, IPL becomes a reference point for selection…
I think selectors balance performances. They don’t go blindly by IPL. Maybe while picking a T20 side, you might look into the IPL performances. I think selectors are mature enough to see overall performance. Then there’s Rohit Sharma as captain and Rahul Dravid as coach. They have a major say in what they want.

I think they are very balanced people and will do what is best for Indian cricket.

There’s been a lot of chopping and changing. Do you think we tend to mix formats while selecting players in India?
Good players adjust in all formats. India has so much talent that there will be some players common in all formats. That’s the way it should be. Because I feel rhythm in sport is very important. I don’t think the selectors do it that way with whatever my experience was in the BCCI.
How difficult is it to have all-format players with IPL and other leagues bringing in so much money?
There will be specialists in T20s. There’s Hardik Pandya although I still feel he is an asset in Test cricket also and he should come back to Test cricket because that’s what he will be remembered for. He is a specialist in ODIs and T20Is. But he is a very special cricketer. I think money has nothing to do with how players play. It’s great that money has come into the sport and that’s how it should be. But I believe the majority of the players want to play all formats as long as they are good. It’s terrific to see how hungry these boys are.
Your thoughts on grooming an India captain to follow Rohit Sharma?
IPL is a good breeding ground. We have seen how well Hardik Pandya has captained in the IPL. That’s one of the reasons he has been captaining India in the shorter formats as well. You can’t ignore wins and losses in the IPL because it’s a very tough tournament.
Delhi Capitals will miss Rishabh Pant, And there is no definite replacement for him in the India squad as well…
Rishabh is special and you won’t get a player like him easily. But I think Ishan Kishan is good. There’s KS Bharat. Obviously, they play differently. Everybody will not bat the same way. With opportunity, these wicketkeeper-batters will come good. With Ishan, we have seen what he can do in the shorter formats. KL Rahul has done well in ODIs with an average of more than 45 which is fantastic. He is a good One Day player. If he can do the job, I really don’t see a problem.

TALKING HEADS: Delhi Capitals team director Sourav Ganguly (R) with head coach Ricky Ponting, you have been working with Prithvi Shaw here in the capital. How do you see him shaping up?
I think Prithvi Shaw is ready to play for India. Whether he gets an opportunity will depend on the slots. I am sure Rohit Sharma and selectors have a close eye on him. He is a good player and ready.
You are the chair of the ICC cricket committee. How do you view the proliferation of T20 leagues?
It’s a challenge to prepare for the international Future Tours Program (FTP). But I don’t think you can stop leagues going around the world. Test cricket will always be the best format of the game. I don’t see any league being as important as the WTC final.
Do you think IPL’s ‘Impact Player’ regulation will have a bearing on India producing allrounders?
‘Impact Player’ is new so let’s see how it works. All of us are excited and want to know how to get the best out of it. All-rounders will remain. I don’t think ‘Impact Player’ will reduce all-rounders. Being an allrounder is about ability.  (a syndicated feed)