These days, you just can’t ignore what Sourav Ganguly has to say.Not only is Ganguly in the best form of his life, the quiet confidence that he exudes is also unmistakable. So, while many an international cricketer will get butterflies in the stomach while padding up in the 100th Test, the ‘dada’ of Indian cricket is looking at it as just another game, where he still has to start from zero.December 26 will be an unforgettable date in Sourav Ganguly’s diary. The Boxing Day Test will be his 100th Test match. He will join the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble- all of whom have played 100 Tests. That he is going into his 100th match in scintillating form is the proverbial icing on the cake."It’s more of a satisfying feeling than feeling any pressure,” Ganguly said when asked whether the fact that he would be playing his 100th Test brings an additional pressure on him. "I am looking at it as just another Test match even though I am happy to be part of that club."Known to have rattled the "ice-man" of cricket, Steve Waugh while taking on the rampaging Australian team in the 2001 and 2003 series at home and away, Ganguly confidently stated that this time around too, while the current Australian team is on a winning spree, India could well be the team to stop it in its track."We are probably the only team in the world which has played well both at home and away against them and competed with them. I know the Australians realize that we compete with them better than any other team in the world."The message is out to the Aussies as far as the former skipper is concerned. He believes that India has a more balanced and battle ready team this time around to take the hosts on.
"We have beaten everyone overseas. We know what it takes to win abroad. Last time, during the 2003 series here, we had a very weak bowling attack. This time we have a better bowling attack. Besides, the presence of MS Dhoni adds depth to our batting. At the end of the day, it’s about putting the runs on the board," he said.Ganguly brushed aside any fears of facing the likes of pacemen Brett Lee and Shaun Tait. In fact, he said that contrary to what many believed, playing Pakistan was a good thing before coming to Australia. "Lee is bowling well, but it is not the first time we will be facing bowlers who bowl over 90mph. It’s a good thing that we played against Shoaib- all our batsman got runs against him. Shoaib is an awkward and world-class bowler, probably the fastest." On the last tour, Ganguly was the main target of the Australian team and media- who unleashed a verbal and mental assault on the skipper. Ganguly responded with elan by leading from the front. This time around, a feeble battle was started when he was asked about verbal battles and whether it was good for the game. Brushing aside any attempt to goad him into saying anything controversial he signed off by saying that “verbal battles and all others off the field were part and parcel of the game. Not even the mention of Greg Chappell provoked a reaction from him. It was yet another reminder of the kind of positive frame of mind he is currently in.
