Ganguly: the BCCI has heard the players' voice

On the field, they might be an unpredictable bunch, but speaking to the media in a formal meet, the Indian cricketers almost always say the same things. A portion of the blame for this goes, undoubtedly, to the press personnel, who often insist on asking the most banal questions. The Taj Samudra today, however, wore an even more tired look than usual as the Indians, weary after a long tour of England as well as numerous flights, met the press.

Sourav Ganguly, always a mixed bag with a microphone in hand, began on a positive note. "We're a much improved side. Over the last one and a half years, we've played really good cricket. We're still so close and yet so far from winning a Test series overseas, but our one-day performances have been very good. We've won 80 percent of our one-day tournaments in the last year or so," said the Indian skipper.

Not wanting to make excuses for his team before the tournament had even started, Ganguly went on to add, "I think we're okay physically. I've recovered, I know we have a game tomorrow, and I'm up for it. Most of the boys will also be ready in time for the game. That's what international cricket is about. I know it's hard, but we have to concentrate on our game. We like being in Sri Lanka and that helps." With the smooth easiness of a PR man for a tour company, the skipper stressed, "We like the place, we like playing here, we like the people, we like the hotel - it's like being at home for us."

Following up his statement that the team was tired but would recover well in time for the first match against Zimbabwe, Ganguly explained why he believed that there was not too much cricket being played. "We've played a lot of cricket, but I think that's okay. Our careers are only 10-12 years long, and our families understand that we have to play a lot. We're backed by our families, and that is very important," he said.

For weeks before the start of the tournament, the players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) were deadlocked on the issue of contracts and sponsorship. Many commentators have called the final compromise a major victory for the players over the Board. But Ganguly disagreed.

"I think the Board has heard the players' voice," said Ganguly. "There's a lot of talk and reports in the papers that the players have won and the Board has lost in this issue. I don't think that's right. They are our parent body, the body we all report to. When we have suggestions to offer or some problems, we go to them. I'm very happy with the way the Board responded and sorted our problems out. There's no question of anyone winning."

Understandably the Indian captain wants to leave all that behind and focus on the cricket ahead. He appeared comfortable with being in perhaps the toughest pool of the tournament. "If you're looking to win this tournament, you have to beat the best of sides. We take it as it comes and get on with the game," said Ganguly.