All-star cricket League: Why did Sourav Ganguly not play the first T20?
New York city wholeheartedly embraced the first Twenty 20 of the three-match All-Star League, Shane Warne’s Warriors have defeated Sachin’s Blasters by 6 wickets.
Warne’s Warriors captain Shane Warne has won the toss asked Blasters to bat first. The Citi Field was filled with 40,000 strong crowd.
Virender Sehwag opening the innings scored a blitzkrieg 55 off 22 balls. Sachin played a rather slow innings and scored a 27 ball 26.
But, when the duo-Sachin and Sehwag, who played an opening pair for quite a few years for India, came to bat -the Citi Field crowd was raising their voice for “Dada”- Sourav Ganguly. They wanted Sourav Ganguly to open the innings with Sachin Tendulkar.
There is an obvious reason for the plea as Ganguly and Tendulkar were the most successful opening pair in the ODI history. Their 26-century partnership in One Day cricket is yet to broken.
Ganguly recently padded up to practice for the three-match T20 league. Ganguly was asked by a local TV journalist that whether he would open the innings or not. The former Indian captain has said,“I have told Sachin, if I don’t open, I will catch the next flight to Kolkata. So that is a criteria for playing”.
Sachin Tendulkar has taken the twitter to confirm Ganguly batting slot in the league. “Dada (Sourav Ganguly) your application for the opener’s position is being processed!Hope the off drive is coming from the sweet spot”.
However, Ganguly is yet to fly for the USA. The second match will be played in Houston, Texas on November 12.
A reliable source cricket historian and journalist Boria Majumdar said, “Sourav to fly on 9th midnight to play at Houston and LA. Been training for a week. Will be fun to see him there. He is keen and looking forward”.
Ganguly has recently become the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president. He was seen in good shape when he was practicing. He said that his performance will depend on his fitness. “We will have to wait and watch how much strength is left on my hands, legs and hips.”
The opening partnership between Sehwag and Sachin worked well in the New York T20. Sachin and Sehwag have built an 85-run partnership in 8 overs. So, now the question is what will happen when Ganguly will reach Houston? Will he get a chance to open the innings?