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It will be tough for Team India to win series in England, feels Ganguly
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co will find it difficult to "beat England in England".
India will embark on a two and half month tour of England starting from July where they will play four Test matches, five ODIs and two Twenty20 International apart from a number of matches against the county sides.
"India will win the series in the West Indies but it will be tough to beat England in England as they have enjoyed a lot of success at home in the recent past," the former India captain said at promotional event.
One of the main reason for his apprehension is that there isn't much gap between the West Indies and England tours.
"It will be challenging to keep themeselves fit and fresh for the England series right after the tour to the West Indies," was his forthright assessment.
'Fletcher will reap the benefits of joining a successful side'
Asked about Team India's new coach Duncan Fletcher, Ganguly said the Zimbabwean would find himself a perfect atmosphere to start his stint with.
"Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a great team. I am sure Duncan Fletcher will reap the benefits of joining the side who have been so successful and have quality players. Duncan will get a lot of confidence from it."
On the raging country vs club debate, Ganguly said,"Country comes first but at the same time you need to draw a fine balance. It's for the Board maintain a balance between international assignments and IPL. Don't forget IPL is a product of BCCI," the former captain added.
About the debate that the injury management of the players have left a lot to be desired, he said that the IPL needs big names like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Warne.
"IPL would not be so successful without the likes of Tendulkars, Shane Warnes among others. It's very difficult to balance as the players are humans afterall. So at some stage they need rest.
"But at the same time IPL is so big. It's very difficult to balance as BCCI wants all its players to take part in IPL."
'I don't think IPL is a monster'
About Ranatunga's comments that IPL is creating a "monster", he said,"I know he is harping this for a long time. But I don't think IPL is a monster."
The Prince of Calcutta cited examples of Manoj Tiwary and Venugopal Rao who have been able to resurrect their fledgling careers courtesy IPL.
"Don't forget that it has made life for a lot of players. Only 14 players can represent the country, what happens to the fringe players who have done well in the domestic circuit? IPL has provided a platform to all of them. And more importantly, IPL has made them financially secured."
It is because IPL that someone like Paul Valthaty is now a household name.
"Look at Paul Valthaty, he had a tremendous success this year and he could be in Mumbai side, a team India opportunity also might be reckoning for him. It has done wonders for a lot of cricketers," he said.
'It was time to move on'
Ganguly however said that the Twenty20 is a least taxing format.
"You need to bat for just three hours and as a bowler you have to deliver four overs maximum. While fielding on an average you get the bowl for about 8 times, it's three time more in other forms of cricket. Ask players like Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis, how difficult is to play a whole day in Test cricket."
On his bitter episode with KKR, Ganguly who represented Pune Warriors in IPL IV said: "It's time to move on. Afterall Gautam Gambhir moved on from Delhi Daredevils to become the highest paid IPL player, so did Yusuf Pathan. That's the way it is, it demands results."
Ganguly also appeared disappointed with the Supreme Court's order quashing his Saltlake plot allotment. Reacting to the Apex Court's order, the left-hander said: "I have put in a lot of money fighting for the land in court and I have spent about two and half years in court to get the land. I have to deal with it."
"When you get a land from the government, there would be some procedures attached to it. I was away for a long time, I will have to sort this out with the chief minister," he added.