Mumbai, July 24: Sourav Ganguly has never failed to entertain, and it has not just been with the bat. The controversies, quotable quotes and devil-may-care attitude have been as much fun.
It isn’t surprising then, that even the stiff upper lip quivered with amusement and mirth. At a two-day history conference held in St Antony’s college at the University of Oxford, the former India skipper entertained with cryptic comments tinged with characteristic sarcasm and humour.
Ganguly was part of a panel that fielded questions from an audience of elite cricketers, writers and commentators. In the 75-minute Q&A session, he dwelt on his first tour of England in 1996.
Recalling the amount he was paid for the near three-month tour, he said: “It was just Rs30,000 for over two-and-a-half months of work.”
Never known for physical exertion, he had a little fun at his own expense when talking about the number of times he went to the gym during that time.
“As against the strict modern day fitness regimen, I went to the gym only once to see what it was all about,” he disclosed to peals of laughter in the hall.
Refusing to paint a gloomy picture of Test cricket, Ganguly said the five-day game faces no serious threat from other formats and for a player it will always be the ultimate form of cricket.
“Test cricket is the ultimate form of cricket and I know for sure players will be remembered for what they do in Test matches,” he said.
Other members of the panel were former cricketers Clive Lloyd, Angus Fraser and Bob Willis.
Lloyd provided some light moments on a day marked by serious discussions on topics ranging from cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan, the Bodyline series and the genesis of ICC, which used to be called Imperial Cricket Council.
“I see players kissing their badges these days and I had every reason to do the same as I had to buy mine,” the former West Indian skipper said.
–Agencies