GenX makes Dada duck and drive

Sourav Ganguly padded up on Wednesday against a pace battery from Jadavpur University, Presidency and Calcutta University. Only, the bowlers had questions to hurl, not a shining leather ball. The students posed to the former skipper uncomfortable questions that rose from a good length and slower ones that confirmed they weren’t in a friendly. The Prince of Calcutta edged some, let go of some and drove some through the off, bringing lusty cheers from (alas!) the Town Hall and not the Eden. A selection of questions at the show organised by a Bengali news channel

Student 1: The CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) has failed as the Eden custodian, losing the right to host the India-England tie. Isn’t this the time for you to step in?

SOURAV: I don’t believe in taking advantage of a situation when someone is down on the mat. You should only lend a helping hand at such times. I do plan to get into cricket administration but this is not the time for it.

Student 2: Were you ignored for IPL because there were too many Aussie coaches?

SOURAV: I don’t know if that’s the way to put it. The team owners, too, take decisions. But ‘Aussie coach’ is one theory I hear. The other theory is that I am 38. But there is Shane Warne, who is 41, and Adam Gilchrist, who is 40, and they are playing.

Student 3: Do you think you should have played county cricket or more of Ranji Trophy to prove your match fitness? Would they have treated you better then?

SOURAV: Who would have treated me better?

Student 3: The IPL people…

SOURAV: I have at least played some cricket. Warne, Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden played nothing.

Student 4: The IPL starts right after the World Cup. Will you play the IPL if you are picked as a replacement for an injured player?

SOURAV: Oh yes, of course! (Loud cheers)

Student 5: What if Kochi picks you and the Eden stops cheering for KKR. How would you feel?

SOURAV: How would I get a chance to feel anything? I would be in the middle, playing.

Student 6: Do you judge Dhoni when you see India play and ponder how you would have done things?

SOURAV: No, I don’t. I will never in this life be where Dhoni is and I am aware of that.

Student 7: You had skipped the Nagpur Test (against Australia in 2004)…. Was it because the wicket had grass?

SOURAV: Ghasher mathe ghash-i thake (A field will always have grass).
(The Telegraph Calcutta 10th Feb 2011)