HYDERABAD: After remaining unbeaten and carrying the Pune Warriors past the target in his first IPL game, a candid Sourav Ganguly, who was given a rapturous reception by spectators here, called it "probably the toughest day of my career". He said he had not touched a bat for five months, but that didn't deter the 38-year-old from putting in an impressive performance.
Ganguly used all his experience to shepherd the chase after Jessie Ryder played a blazing knock, and kept talking to Manish Pandey as they stitched together a 33-run stand for the second wicket.
The Bengal southpaw took charge of the proceedings thereafter as Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh fell cheaply. Ganguly and Callum Ferguson, who struck three crucial blows in Daniel Christian's over, then ensured a comprehensive win for their team against Deccan Chargers.
"It's probably the toughest day of my career. I haven't picked a cricket bat for five months. I came here with zero confidence," Ganguly said, admitting that he had a lot of work to do to meet expectations. "Fielding will also get better, it's about anticipating what I haven't done for a while," he said.
Warriors coach Geoff Marsh was all praise, saying, "It is great to see Sourav get runs here. He was very nervous going into the match but did well to show that he has the ability to win matches. His love and passion for the game is still very much alive."
On not playing Ganguly in the previous game, Marsh said: "He said he was not ready and hence we had to bench him. He wanted to be mentally and physically ready before taking the field. It was an all-round performance from us. We did well in all departments of the game." Maybe, there's more to come from Ganguly this season.
TOI
Ganguly used all his experience to shepherd the chase after Jessie Ryder played a blazing knock, and kept talking to Manish Pandey as they stitched together a 33-run stand for the second wicket.
The Bengal southpaw took charge of the proceedings thereafter as Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh fell cheaply. Ganguly and Callum Ferguson, who struck three crucial blows in Daniel Christian's over, then ensured a comprehensive win for their team against Deccan Chargers.
"It's probably the toughest day of my career. I haven't picked a cricket bat for five months. I came here with zero confidence," Ganguly said, admitting that he had a lot of work to do to meet expectations. "Fielding will also get better, it's about anticipating what I haven't done for a while," he said.
Warriors coach Geoff Marsh was all praise, saying, "It is great to see Sourav get runs here. He was very nervous going into the match but did well to show that he has the ability to win matches. His love and passion for the game is still very much alive."
On not playing Ganguly in the previous game, Marsh said: "He said he was not ready and hence we had to bench him. He wanted to be mentally and physically ready before taking the field. It was an all-round performance from us. We did well in all departments of the game." Maybe, there's more to come from Ganguly this season.
TOI
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