Ganguly was the best captain: Srinath

HYDERABAD: Former India fast bowler and now ICC match referee Javagal Srinath says that Sourav Ganguly was the best-ever captain he had ever played under since the latter knew what to expect from everyone in the team.

“Sourav was a truly wonderful captain and donned the role of an intermediary between the players and the selectors to near perfection,” were Srinath’s compliments to the former India captain at a panel discussion ‘Tyrst with sports champions’ organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (Hyderabad Chapter) and attended by two other sporting celebrities — Pullela Gopi Chand and Mithali Raj — here on Monday.

Speaking about leadership qualities, Srinath said that to be a good leader, one has lead himself, know how to conduct himself at various places, and with the players both on and off the field. “I always looked at leaders as being of three different kinds — aggressive ones like Imran Khan, transaction leaders like late Hansie Cronje of South Africa who was the best in getting deals for his players on and off the field, and others who can be called ‘transforming leaders’,” he said.

“A captain might be a very good leader but his reputation as captain depends on the team’s performance. Leadership is directly linked to the team’s results. It is important to have a very good team at your disposal,” Srinath, who played in four World Cups, said.

Srinath doesn’t believe that aggression alone is the key to successful performances. “You won’t get wickets just by staring down a batsman without actually bowling well. I believe that this kind of aggression is more among those who are uncertain of their place in the squad. What is needed is regulated aggression,” he said.

“The Indian Premier League has come to stay. It is a huge success, though it involves only about 100 players featuring in it. But it does bring a Ranji Trophy player one step closer to stardom,” Srinath said. “It is a natural evolution of the game in the right direction and shows a great marketing strategy by the BCCI.”

Srinath also says that it is ridiculous to compare a cricketer’s performance with the endorsements they give. “One has to remember that only the best performers get the sponsors. And, all that he spends for an advertisement shoot is 15 days in a year.

Srinath is happy that India boasts of one of the best pace attacks in the world. “No doubt, Ishant Sharma is struggling now after a fabulous start. But, he is young and should be back to his best very soon. There is plenty of talent and depth in this Indian bowling attack,” he said.

On ball tampering, Srinath did not agree with ex-South African fast bowler Allan Donald’s view that it should be legalised. “It is a crime as per the rules of the game and it should not be encouraged,” he said.