Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Gambhir bats in favour of Umpire Decision Review System

HYDERABAD: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have expressed his displeasure over the Umpire Decision Review System on quite a few occasions but Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said that he is in favour of the use of technology as it can reduce human errors.

The UDRS, which received a mixed response during the World Cup, is not in use in the ongoing Indian Premier League but Gambhir was of the view that if available there is no harm in using technology.

"These (UDRS) are part and parcel of the game. It is good to have UDRS when you don't get a plumb lbw. In tight games, if you have technology rather use it. I am all for UDRS," Gambhir said at the post-match press conference after KKR beat Deccan Chargers by 20 runs to zoom to the top of the team standings.

The KKR captain also lauded his teammates for putting up a professional performance against Deccan and hoped to carry on the winning momentum in the remaining matches of the Twenty20 tournament.

"I have always said that momentum is very important. When you have that momentum, you have to keep continuing to play well. It was a good overall performance. The batsmen scored 170 and the bowlers backed it up. I think it was good professional effort.

"We have to take each game at a time. The last six games are history now and we have to concentrate on the next game. As a professional cricketer, you have to keep thinking of each and every game and keep thinking as it is first game of the tournament," Gambhir said.

The left-hander also said that he was enjoying his stint as KKR captain.

"I always enjoyed my captaincy whether it is for India, whether it is for Delhi or this one. You end up taking responsibility, you end up learning a lot, you feel happy when you end up winning," Gambhir said.

"I always believed that there were never great captains and there will be no great captain. There are only great teams. No captain can win you the game. It is the team that wins the game. So far, I am enjoying my captaincy."

Gambhir also brushed aside any bad feeling between him and Deccan all-rounder Daniel Christian after the duo engaged in an altercation during KKR innings on Tuesday.

"That's part and parcel of the game. When you are playing professional sport, it keeps happening. That's history now. If you are playing such competitive cricket, such things are bound to happen. It's fine, nothing too serious," he said.

Gambhir, who came at the fall of Eoin Morgan in the sixth over, collided with Christian while going for single in the last delivery of the ninth over and no sooner it happened the duo engaged in a heated argument.

Both Gambhir and Christian came menacingly close to each other before Deccan skipper Kumar Sangakkara and the on-field umpires -- Sudhir Asnani and Rod Tucker -- intervened to separate the duo.

Warrior Dada gets IPL lifeline

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.

'Comeback King' Ganguly back in IPL with Pune Warriors India

KOLKATA: Ignored at this year's IPL auctions, former India captain Sourav Ganguly made a dramatic return in the cash-rich league on Tuesday signing for Pune Warriors India in place of an injured Ashish Nehra.

"I was approached by them yesterday and I've confirmed about my availability to them. I am leaving for Mumbai today and the details will be announced there," Ganguly told reporters on Tuesday. Ganguly is however unlikely to feature in Pune Warriors' match against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday.

Ganguly, who was captain of Kolkata Knight Riders for the first and third season was given a cold shoulder by Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise as well as nine others who didn't bid for him during the auctions.

The Pune Warriors are in the midst of a disastrous campaign having lost six consecutive matches under Yuvraj Singh's captaincy. With the batting looking depleted, the new franchise couldn't have thought for a better replacement as Ganguly brings with him vast experience.

Confirming the development, Pune Warriors team director Abhijit Sarkar said that roping in Ganguly was not a gamble and he would prove his worth with the former India captain being the "best cricketing brain" in the country.

"He is playing in IPL not for money but to prove a point. He deserves a lot of respect, but not the way he has been treated (by Kolkata Knight Riders)... He is the best cricketing brain in the country. Taking Ganguly is not a gamble," Sarkar explained.

Sarkar said their side was plagued by a lot of injuries and they thought of Ganguly.

"At the start of the tournament, Angelo Mathews, the best all-rounder, was ruled out. Australian T20 vice-captain Tim Paine, South African skipper Graeme Smith too are injured, while Ashish Nehra too was battling with injury. We waited for the Nehra's fitness report that came yesterday."

"We have been in talks for last two three days. Our team think-tank felt that Sourav Ganguly is the best possible option available so we went for him. He has been a fighter and a master of comebacks. We are very much confident that he will prove his worth."

Sarkar however said Ganguly would not be available for their next match against Mumbai Indians at Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

"We welcome him on board. He is joining the side (in Navi Mumbai) this evening and will train with the coach and support staff. I don't think that he will be playing in our next match (against Mumbai Indians) tomorrow."

toi