IPL 2012: Sourav Ganguly and IPL - An unlucky chase
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| The IPL journey of the fighter from Kolkata |
He taught his men to get hungry for win, to chase the impossible dreams. He gave them the self-belief to pull matches out of the fire. He never hesitated to make daring decisions. Overall, he was an aggressive Indian skipper and perhaps the only one.
He was none other than our Dada, Sourav Ganguly.
They say name is enough to reckon. I would say ‘Dada’ was enough to ensure the winning mantra.
After retiring from international cricket, Dada started his career in IPL. The prince of Kolkata – Sourav Ganguly is all set to bid adieu from IPL as a player. So far, the glory he has as an International player; sadly IPL draw some poor sketches in the courageous journey of India’s most successful captain in Tests.
Let’s have a look at Dada’s IPL journey so far:
Season 1 –
It was an oomph moment for Kolkata peoples and DADA fans when Kolkata Knight Riders going to be captained by their own local hero. Being stated among the iconic players for IPL-1, it was a big tournament for him after taking retirement from International Cricket in 2008.
He ended the season as top scorer (349 runs from 13 matches) for his side. The combination of Ganguly and Buchanan failed to make any impression on the team standings.
KKR ended their season with 13 points (6 wins, 7 loss, 1 no result) at No. 6.
Such epic performances raised questions over these two think tanks amongst the franchisee. Ganguly was forced to step down as skipper and Buchanan as coach.
As soon as the news flashed in the media, fans started protesting against SRK (Shah Ruk Khan). With knowing people’ s sentiments towards cricket, some reports from Shah Rukh’s resources claimed to change Kolkata Knight Riders to Knight Riders.
After all, what could remain in KKR without Ganguly as skipper!
Season 2 –
Like their owner, KKR always loves to be in lime light. This time, they came up with “multiple captains” theory, courtesy Australian coach – John Buchanan. It was a slight signal from KKR management that they no more want Ganguly as skipper for the side.
Ganguly was kept in the same franchisee but wasn’t respected with skipper’s cap. Brendon McCullum of New Zealand was declared first person for the side, a sharp and calculated move by the KKR think thank. NO?
They knew that this year IPL would be held in South Africa and why they should care about Ganguly! Poor gesture by SRK but what else he could do as an owner! But remember, it’s a business that demand profits and nothing else.
Words with McCullum who was supposed to be bring-it-all man, KKR this time demoted to number 8 in the points tally with 7 points (3 wins, 10 lose, 1 no result).
Like his captain status, in season-2 Dada failed to score enough runs and was dropped to number 3 (189 runs from 13 matches) in the leading KKR batting list.
However, he was introduced to a new kind of KKR venture in 2009. Kolkata began a talent hunt competition named as “Knight and Angels” to select their cheerleaders. For which Dada was appointed as a judge. But the winning team wasn’t allowed to perform in Africa due to the authorities out there.
Season 3 –
In 2010, IPL and DADA both are back to their deserved places. With non-availability of KKRs supposed to be captain – McCullum and Ponting, Ganguly once again given the responsibility to motivate the low-in-confidence side in order to produce better results, Buchanan replaced by Dave Whatmore as the head coach.
With giving full marks to Ganguly as skipper, KKR had an awesome start to the season comparatively to their old track records. Their evergreen stats of being highlighted in controversies - KKR again ended season with spear of thoughts.
But the season-3 had the most controversies – from player auction to franchisee stack, from IPL management to political connections and corruption within league.
But Dada’s performance used to shine brightly and overshadowed everything. He once again not only scored most runs (493 from 14 matches) for KKR but also ended the season as the 4th highest run-getter.
KKR improved their rank from IPL-2, but equalize their stat with season-1 position – summed up at 6th place with 14 points (7 win, 7 lose).
Season 4 –
Leading the side twice with same results, IPL 2011 brought greatest set back for India’s most successful captain. Ganguly remained unsold in the players’ auction. Height of mockery!
Over-aged, fitness issues, inconsistency in performance, conflicts with franchisee owner and coach, continuous downward curve of results – given reasons by the authorities for Ganguly’s omission.
But look at the popularity graph, entire season of IPL-4 he was more in every cricketing conversations rather than the ongoing cricket. Campaign to bring back Dada got hyped. There was hardly anyone who is not aware of it or not be a part of it.
Efforts didn’t go in vain. After lots of hoo-ha, Pune Warriors bought Dada in their squad on May 3, 2011 as a replacement for injured Nehra and then arrived one of the most sentimental moments of cricket.
In a match against Hyderabad, a devotee of Dada breached security to touch his feet. It was his comeback match in IPL and fans were equally excited to witness it as much Dada himself.
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| Dada fan breached security to meet him in the Pune vs. Hyderabad (IPL 2012) |
That’s what we called worship for cricket, a scenario that DADA too will never forget.
Although, Pune Warriors had the brilliance to go a long way in the tournament, but their inconsistency in defeats powered them to 9th place out of 10.
Ganguly too didn’t impress much with given matches and scored 50 runs from 4 matches.
Season 5 –
The Dada fans were waiting for the IPL to watch him playing again and hours before 2012 IPL auction, a statement from Subrata Roy – PWI owner, shook every cricket fan. The press release from franchisee officials claimed to pull back their all stack in IPL and BCCI from the tournament.
It not just halted many cricketers career, but also for Dada who was once again considered in the lime lights. I, too, felt sad with the given mishap. What irony destiny claiming against him, after all.
Is this the price of being a fighter?
But the drama is not yet over.
February 16, 2011 brought smiles as BCCI and Sahara concluded all the difference within themselves and the Pune Warriors were all set to rock in IPL-5.
In the absence of Yuvraj Singh, captaincy once again handed over to Dada. Their beginning of the IPL-5 campaign too was sound. But as soon as the tournament progressed, the Warriors lost their way.
A string of 8 matches defeat shattered all their chances to survive in the IPL, another disappointing season for Dada and somehow, quite enough to take a call on his IPL career.
Sources from Warriors too claimed that this is the last year for Ganguly to play in IPL as a player and he could be appointed mentor of the side for the next season.
Special mention:
‘Apparently, such farewell moments of cricketers strike fans' heart. It’s the only time, when all your efforts honored and appreciated at once without any criticism.
Today, it’s gonna be his last LIVE performance on the field and that too against his own home team - KKR. A journey that began as Knight Rider is about to end as Warrior. Truly suited to his dignity.’
Today, it’s gonna be his last LIVE performance on the field and that too against his own home team - KKR. A journey that began as Knight Rider is about to end as Warrior. Truly suited to his dignity.’
We salute your spirit and enthusiasm towards cricket.
