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InDepth headlines national business sports cricket regional entertainment technology world travel autos health | in-depth coverage > Cricket World Cup 2003 > Ganguly defends decision to field first 18.00 IST 25th Mar 2003 By IndiaExpress Bureau India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday defended his decision to field first in the World Cup final against Australia. “There was dampness in the pitch and I knew there was something in it for seam bowlers,” Ganguly said, after a batch of Indian players arrived in Mumbai to a warm welcome. Ganguly’s gamble in fielding first after winning the toss in Sunday’s final at Johannesburg failed with Australia literally batting India out of the game by rattling up a mammoth 359-2. Australia then dismissed India for 234 to win the final by 125 runs and claim the World Cup for a record third time. “We had one off-day which shattered our dreams of winning the World Cup,” said the Indian skipper. Ganguly, however, praised his speedsters, especially veteran Javagal Srinath who came out of retirement to finish with 16 wickets in 11 matches. “I wanted him to play in the World Cup since I knew he could contribute with his experience. He did not let me down,” Ganguly said. Now it was up to the fast bowler to decide whether he wanted to continue or retire, said Ganguly. “It should be his decision. It’s his career and let him decide about it,” he said. Left-arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra also gave a good account of themselves in the tournament, sharing 33 wickets. But none could deliver in the final as the trio went wicket-less, conceding 211 runs in 27 overs. Ganguly also does not think that the team suffered for want of a fifth specialist bowler in the final. “I don’t think we missed the fifth bowler,” said Ganguly whose team had gone into every game with just four regular bowlers -- three pace-men and one spinner (Harbhajan Singh). “Dinesh Mongia, used as the fifth bowler, was the most economical in the final. In fact throughout the tournament, our part-time bowlers kept the run-rate in check,” claimed Ganguly. in-depth coverage > Cricket World Cup 2003 > |
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