Sourav Ganguly picks his favourite opening partner between Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly reflected on his glory days in Indian cricket and his opening stand partnership with Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. In the international arena, the trio of Sourav, Sachin, and Sehwag forged countless memories for India.
Sourav recounted his memories of playing alongside Sehwag and Tendulkar at CREDAI’s annual conference. He was asked who his favourite opening partner was, and his response had the audience in splits.
Talking about Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav said, “Sachin was the most sane one and Sehwag was insane. So, it is Sachin. He actually also made me a better player. Sachin actually got me to lift my game.”
He further added, “Sachin. He was special and I have seen him up close. I have seen him hit in rib cage. Did not make a noise. Got runs. The next morning he had a double fracture in ribs. I heard a sound and I went and asked him you are okay? He said he was fine. The next morning, he had fractures. He was special.”
When asked to choose between India’s home victory in the Kolkata test in 2001 and India’s victory at Lords in the Natwest Cup final in 2002, he said: “2001 win at home as it changed the team. It changed the belief in the team.”
Ganguly described Sri Lankan spinner Muralidharan, who was getting on in years, as someone who gave him nightmares. “Older he became, the better he became. I found Murali the hardest when he was older,” Ganguly said.
Sourav Ganguly on leadership
Ganguly had previously spoken at length about leadership and the importance of listening to others. “It’s not my way or highway,” the former Indian Cricket Board President.
Having held several leadership positions, he also discussed the importance of having an eye for identifying and developing talent. “You create an atmosphere to express themselves,” concluded the former Indian captain.
