Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that Mahesh Bhupathi should have agreed to play Leander Paes in the Olympics as the latter is a terrific doubles player.
Heaping praise on Paes who along with Elena Vesnina stunned top seeds Bob Bryan and Liezel Huber to enter the Wimbledon mixed doubles final last night,Ganguly said,8221;Paes is a terrific doubles player. I feel Bhupathi should have agreed to play with Leander for the interest of the country.8221;
Talking to reporters after celebrating his 40th birthday with fans here today,Ganguly also said Bishan Singh Bedi had agreed to become the spinners8217; coach for the senior Bengal team.
8220;I8217;ve heard that he Bedi has agreed to it. Bengal cricket will benefit a lot from him,if he becomes the spinners8217; coach.8221;
Ganguly had suggested Bedi as the spinners8217; coach for the senior Bengal team as the former left-arm spinner would be here as chief guest during CAB8217;s annual awards ceremony on July 22.
Asked if he would agree to be a full time batting coach for his home state,Ganguly said: 8220;I can8217;t devote so much time.8221;
Ganguly hoped that talented Bengal youngster Manoj Tiwary,who hit a century in his last ODI appearance but only to sit out,would get a chance in the series in Sri Lanka.
8220;He Tiwary is in good form. Hope he gets a chance in Sri Lanka and do well for India,8221; said Ganguly.
Asked about his future as a cricketer,Ganguly said,8221;I still have one year8217;s contract left with Pune Warriors.
8220;For me life is simple. Be it 39,40 or 41,it does not matter. It8217;s just a number.8221; he said.
Ganguly agreed that Virender Sehwag8217;s recent comments that a strong team backed by an able captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni led to India winning the World Cup were 8220;twisted8221; by the media and advised the players to talk by their performance.
8220;Sehwag is mature enough not to make such comments. It8217;s time to talk less and perform on the field,8221; Ganguly said.
Meanwhile,Sourav Ganguly8217;s fan club celebrated their hero8217;s birthday,reciting poems and cutting a cake at the former captain8217;s residence at Behala this morning.
8220;Sourav called us inside his residence and cut the cake. We sang a poem for him and he was very happy,8221; founder of the club Ratan Haldar said.
8220;My brother Sunil and I have been celebrating his birthday since his exit in 2005.8221;
