« Back to article

Print this article

'Sachin Tendulkar's comments were blown out of proportion'

India should not go overboard with the A team's success in South Africa as the Test challenge would be a different ball game, remarked former India captain Sourav Ganguly.

"No doubt, India A are playing well in the ongoing South Africa series. But it will be a different ball game altogether when the actual Test series begins.

"We cannot deny the fact that we are playing good cricket these days. But things will be difficult than what's it is now," the former left-hand batsman told reporters while inaugurating painting exhibition for the benefit of Uttarakhand flash flood victims.

'Performance of bowlers would be the key in South Africa'

With the South African conditions aiding fast bowling, India's key would be the pacers, Ganguly said. 

"Performance of the bowlers would be the key in South Africa. The conditions are ideal for pace bowling.

"The current crop of Indian bowlers are a good lot so it's imperative for them to maintain their rhythm and do well in South Africa," Ganguly said.

'It's going to be a huge achievement for Sachin'

Senior most Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is all set to reach another milestone when he plays a record 200th Test and Ganguly said it would be an achievement difficult to match. 

"It's going to be a huge achievement...I don't think anybody can ever match that feat (of playing 200 Tests)." Ganguly met Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid at the KSCA's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations where the Mumbai batsman had said: "Selection is not about looking at the scorebook."

'I was there when Sachin made those comments'

Tendulkar's comments spiralled into a controversy with his critics suggesting that the ageing cricketer, who had been struggling in the recent past, should also step aside. 

But Ganguly said Tendulkar's comments were blown out of proportion. 

"Sachin's comments were blown out of proportion. I was there when he made those comments. He meant something else."