Sourav Ganguly says failing to convert good starts into hundreds is his greatest cricketing regret
Sourav Ganguly.
Synopsis Sourav Ganguly, despite his impressive 38 international centuries, expresses regret over missed opportunities to score even more. He laments getting dismissed in the 80s and 90s on numerous occasions, potentially costing him over 50 centuries. Ganguly also recalls the difficult decision of dropping Anil Kumble and names Australia as his favorite rival and Glenn McGrath as the most feared bowler. He is the owner of 38 fantastic centuries in international cricket, but that number is not pleasing to former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, who regrets missing many hundreds during his cricketing journey.
ADVERTISEMENT The elegant left-hander of his times, Ganguly scored 18575 runs in Test and ODIs but regrets missing many centuries in his career in which he competed in 311 ODIs and 113 Tests.
Ganguly's remorse came to fore when he was asked what advise he would give to his old self.
"I missed a lot of hundreds, I should have scored more. Too many 90s and 80s," Ganguly told PTI in an interaction. A look at his statistics showed that Ganguly got out in the 80s and 90s a number of times. Exact 30 times. If he could convert those innings into centuries he would have easily scored 50-plus centuries in his already glorious career.
ADVERTISEMENT He loves watching his old innings, his strokeplay whenever he is alone and it further reminds him how close he was to getting more hundreds. "I see my (batting) videos when I am alone. When my wife is away because Sara lives in London. I go to Youtube, and watch and say 'arre fir 70 pe out ho gaya' (Gosh, I got out for 70 in this also), should have scored a hundred. But you can't change it. "
ADVERTISEMENT In ODIs, Ganguly had 72 half centuries and in Test the number stands at 35. As a skipper sometimes a tough call become imperative. You have to drop a player to accommodate someone who you think is more suited for conditions or requirement.
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Ganguly regretted dropping Anil Kumble one of the greatest leg spinners in the world.
"Anil Kumble, a few times, because he was so good," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT For Ganguly, Australia was his favourite rival side and pacer Glenn McGrath the most feared bowler.
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