Home > Cricket > Report

Ganguly ironing out batting flaws with Chappell

Faisal Shariff | August 11, 2003 11:52 IST
Last Updated: August 11, 2003 14:17 IST


Sourav Ganguly is busy in Australia and its not a commercial shoot.

According to a source in Sydney, the Indian captain is trying to iron out deficiencies in his technique against the quick bowlers and the rising ball under Australian batting legend Greg Chappell.

Sourav GangulyHe's already had a net or two including one at the Sydney Cricket Ground indoors.

Ganguly and Chappell were supposed to work together on ironing out the chinks in Ganguly's batting until Chappell posted an email he sent to his brother Ian Chappell, former Aussie skipper, on his website http://www.chappellway.com.au/ which infuriated Ganguly.   

Ian Chappell has been constantly critical of Ganguly's captaincy since the last Austalian tour of India in 2001, which India won coming back after losing the first of the three-Test series.

During the MRF coaches seminar held in July, the Aussie great received a call from India skipper Sourav Ganguly, asking if he would be available to help him sort out some batting problems.

Chappell's reply was in the affirmative.

"Ganguly said he would talk to the president [BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya], which he did before I left India, but since then nothing has been arranged. No one has called me," Chappell told rediff.com from his home in Adelaide in July.

The news of Ganguly touring Australia for a commercial shoot was a red herring for the media back home.   

Ganguly believes his team faces a real test of character when they tour Australia later this year. It is imperative that he as captain of the squad performs and scores runs.  

"To be honest, it's going to be a tough series," he told reporters last month. "It is going to be a real test of our abilities in Australia."

Apparently Ganguly's three-year contract with Percept D' Mark expires this September and rumours are rife that Nimbus may be signing him for endorsements.

Shailendra Singh of Percept D'Mark was unaware of Ganguly's plans and was desperately trying to locate the Indian captain in Australia last week.

Harish Thawani, Co-chairman, World Sports Nimbus, denied any such move.

Percept, on the other hand, has expressed confidence over retaining the Indian skipper.


Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor



Related Stories


Exclusive Chat: Greg Chappell

Ganguly to travel to Australia

Aussies better than us: Ganguly



People Who Read This Also Read


'God willing, we'll win'

Stop overreacting, Dennis

Warne in phone sex scandal











Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.