KOLKATA/NEW DELHI: It may appear to be a classic case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, but there is more to Sahara Pune Warriors signing up Sourav Ganguly in place of injured pacer Ashish Nehra than meets the eye.
The Yuvraj Singh-led Warriors, languishing at the bottom of the table following six consecutive losses, need to win all their remaining six games to give themselves a realistic chance of nicking a playoff berth in IPL 4.
Yuvraj hasn't been batting badly, even though he has refused to come up the order, but has failed to lead from the front. By roping in Sourav, who has always been a mentor to Yuvi, the Warriors management has clearly sought to boost their skipper's confidence.
"We needed someone with experience after key players like Angelo Mathews, Ashish Nehra and Tim Paine were ruled out due to injuries. Who wouldn't want Sourav? He brings experience. After all he has played with Yuvraj, Uthappa and Karthik and is one of the most successful captains that the country has seen," Abhijit Sarkar, director, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, told TOI. "
We were lucky that everything fell into place for us," said Sarkar. "The team has had some bad results... we are sure Sourav's arrival will turn things around for us."
According to TOI sources, the first move came from Pune's side after the team owners decided to go for someone with experience. When Ganguly was given the offer to play for Pune, his first reaction was: "Why not! I am willing to even play without money."
The Bengal southpaw is keen to prove a point to those who think his cricket career is over. Sources close to Ganguly said he is simply looking to avenge the 'insult' at the auction.
If veterans like VVS Laxman, Shane Warne and Rahul Dravid could play in the IPL, why couldn't he? Ganguly will be paid around Rs 80 lakh for playing the rest of the season.
As of now, Ganguly's new job profile would require him to do quite a bit of mentoring besides contributing with the bat. After six consecutive losses, two of them from winning positions, the morale of the team is very low.
The only problem is the franchise owners may have left it too late. For Sourav, it is a case of being fifth-time lucky. Twice ignored by all the 10 franchises at the players' auction in January, and after two unsuccessful attempts by the Kochi Tuskers to get him on board, Sourav finally gets a chance to show the world that he still belongs.
Sourav, who has spent an agonizing four months post auctions but refused to give up on his IPL dream, has been hitting the gym regularly. Two days after sending fans in a tizzy at the Eden Gardens by showing up in the stands during KKR's match against Kings XI Punjab, Bengal's favourite son returned to his 'spiritual home' and indulged in some serious practice in the nets on Tuesday.
On his way out, he paused only to confirm the deal with Pune Warriors, promising to speak at length after being formally unveiled. A twist of fate may have prevented him from being anointed as the 'King of Kochi', but a turn of fortunes will now see him in the avatar of 'Warrior Prince' at Pune.
It's a pity that the Warriors are not slated to play at the Eden Gardens against KKR, but do expect fireworks on May 19 when the two teams clash at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
PRINCE OF COMEBACKS
1996: Recalled for the England tour after being dropped in 1991-92, after an unimpressive ODI debut. Scored an imperious ton in debut Test at Lord's.
2006: Recalled to the Test team for the South African tour after being dropped earlier in the year.
2007: Came back into the ODI team for the home series against the West Indies. Ganguly was also dropped from the ODI team in 2006.
2011: Now back in the IPL in mid-season with Pune Warriors after being unsold in the initial auction.
The Yuvraj Singh-led Warriors, languishing at the bottom of the table following six consecutive losses, need to win all their remaining six games to give themselves a realistic chance of nicking a playoff berth in IPL 4.
Yuvraj hasn't been batting badly, even though he has refused to come up the order, but has failed to lead from the front. By roping in Sourav, who has always been a mentor to Yuvi, the Warriors management has clearly sought to boost their skipper's confidence.
"We needed someone with experience after key players like Angelo Mathews, Ashish Nehra and Tim Paine were ruled out due to injuries. Who wouldn't want Sourav? He brings experience. After all he has played with Yuvraj, Uthappa and Karthik and is one of the most successful captains that the country has seen," Abhijit Sarkar, director, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, told TOI. "
We were lucky that everything fell into place for us," said Sarkar. "The team has had some bad results... we are sure Sourav's arrival will turn things around for us."
According to TOI sources, the first move came from Pune's side after the team owners decided to go for someone with experience. When Ganguly was given the offer to play for Pune, his first reaction was: "Why not! I am willing to even play without money."
The Bengal southpaw is keen to prove a point to those who think his cricket career is over. Sources close to Ganguly said he is simply looking to avenge the 'insult' at the auction.
If veterans like VVS Laxman, Shane Warne and Rahul Dravid could play in the IPL, why couldn't he? Ganguly will be paid around Rs 80 lakh for playing the rest of the season.
As of now, Ganguly's new job profile would require him to do quite a bit of mentoring besides contributing with the bat. After six consecutive losses, two of them from winning positions, the morale of the team is very low.
The only problem is the franchise owners may have left it too late. For Sourav, it is a case of being fifth-time lucky. Twice ignored by all the 10 franchises at the players' auction in January, and after two unsuccessful attempts by the Kochi Tuskers to get him on board, Sourav finally gets a chance to show the world that he still belongs.
Sourav, who has spent an agonizing four months post auctions but refused to give up on his IPL dream, has been hitting the gym regularly. Two days after sending fans in a tizzy at the Eden Gardens by showing up in the stands during KKR's match against Kings XI Punjab, Bengal's favourite son returned to his 'spiritual home' and indulged in some serious practice in the nets on Tuesday.
On his way out, he paused only to confirm the deal with Pune Warriors, promising to speak at length after being formally unveiled. A twist of fate may have prevented him from being anointed as the 'King of Kochi', but a turn of fortunes will now see him in the avatar of 'Warrior Prince' at Pune.
It's a pity that the Warriors are not slated to play at the Eden Gardens against KKR, but do expect fireworks on May 19 when the two teams clash at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
PRINCE OF COMEBACKS
1996: Recalled for the England tour after being dropped in 1991-92, after an unimpressive ODI debut. Scored an imperious ton in debut Test at Lord's.
2006: Recalled to the Test team for the South African tour after being dropped earlier in the year.
2007: Came back into the ODI team for the home series against the West Indies. Ganguly was also dropped from the ODI team in 2006.
2011: Now back in the IPL in mid-season with Pune Warriors after being unsold in the initial auction.
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