‘There’s hope for Bangladesh’
Sourav Ganguly, one of the most successful captains of India, a top batsman and the current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, is a commentator at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Though most of the legendary cricketers who came to Englanad at this World Cup as commentators are unwilling to give exclusive interviews, ‘Dada' (Sourav Ganguly) agreed. In an exclusive interview with Prothom Alo during the interval of the Bangladesh-England match on Saturday, he talked about team Bangaldesh's performance, reviewed their defeat in the 2007 World Cup and more.
Prothom Alo: The World Cup tournament is back in England after 20 years. This is a tournament like that of 1992. What are your feelings about this?
Sourav Ganguly: It’s excellent! It's the best World Cup I've ever seen. Everyone is playing with everyone. The best teams are playing against each other. This is a great World Cup. I'm calling it the best from the contest perspective.
Prothom Alo: There are high-scoring matches at some wickets and not so high with others. Which one do you prefer?
Sourav Ganguly: Most of the wickets are extraordinary. Not all matches will be high scoring. It depends on the bowling. It's good for the tournament.
Prothom Alo: Bangladesh has played three matches so far. How would you evaulate the team?
Sourav Ganguly: They performed well in their first two matches. They did very well against South Africa and New Zealand. But today (Saturday) they did not bowl so well (against England).
Prothom Alo: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza opted to bowl first after winning the toss at Cardiff. Many questioned this choice as England scored a huge ton. What do you think--did Mashrafe take the right decision?
Sourav Ganguly: Mashrafe took the right decision for this wicket. The decision is justified as it rained for two days. But the bowling must be good too. The wind was favourable and there was grass too on the wicket. But the bowlers could not utilise any of this. Shakib was over-used. Bowling must be pointed with consistent line length.
Prothom Alo: Bangladesh has appeared in this World Cup as an experienced team. Bangladesh fans have great hope in this team. Do you think this team will fulfill their aspirations?
Sourav Ganguly: There’s hope. But the bowling must be good, especially the pace attack. Bowling is crucial in these conditions. Mustafizur Rahman is a good wicket taker. He was sent to play in the lower order today. He should have been brought up in order.
Prothom Alo: Is there any possibility for Bangladesh to reach the final four?
Sourav Ganguly: Certainly. But the giant teams must be beaten first. Batting, bowling are required to beat the giants…, yes, the batting of this Bangladesh team is much better. Batting is their strength. Today they could score 300 or nearly so against England's 386 (Bangladesh actually scored 280 that day). Their batting is quite strong, but it's hard to beat England's 386. This goes out of their grasp while playing against such big score. If Bangladesh can bundle out the opponent for between 310 or 315, they can beat this. This team bats very well.
Prothom Alo: Which Bangladesh batsman impresses you?
Sourav Ganguly: All! Tamim, Soumya...Shakib are in fantastic form. Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur are too extraordinary batsmen. Bangladesh has improved a lot. I was India's captain when we first played against Bangladesh in 2000. From then till 2019 -- Bangladesh has improved a lot. Just a few minutes ago, I came across Habibul (Habibul Bashar). He is the selector now. We talked and reminisced. Perhaps, Habibul was the captain then...
Prothom Alo: No, Naimur Rahman was the first Test captain for Bangladesh. Habibul was the captain for Bangladesh during the 2007 World Cup.
Sourav Ganguly: Is Naimur a parliament member?
Prothom Alo: Yes, he is a sports organiser too. He is a director of the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board). You are successful too as a sports organiser after the end of your sports career...
Sourav Ganguly: So, does it require being involved in politics to appear on Bangladesh's cricket board? The ruling party's approval is crucial too, isn't it?
Prothom Alo: This is the sports culture of the country. Let's catch up where we left off. As we've seen in Sachin Tendulkar's autobiography or Mahendra Singh Dhoni's film, they can never forget their defeat by Bangladesh in 2007 World Cup. How much do you remember of that?
Sourav Ganguly: Why won't I remember? We did not play well, so this is remembered often. I scored some runs (highest among the team, 66). But our total score was not high. Like Sachin-Dhoni, I can neither forget the match.
Prothom Alo: What is your prediction over the final four? And then in the final, which two will play?
Sourav Ganguly: Australia, England, India--two among them could reach the final.
*This piece, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been re-written in English by Nusrat Nowrin.