I have made this team, I have made sacrifices; Sourav Ganguly replied to Sharad Pawar on Greg Chappell’s allegation
Sharad Pawar was the BCCI President when the dispute between Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell took place. He had a one to one meeting with Ganguly. Pawar said that the coach has accused Ganguly of spoiling the atmosphere of the team. Dada was deeply hurt by this.
The most difficult moment in the cricket career of Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of Team India and former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was at the time of the dispute with Greg Chappell. Dada has said this in his autobiography ‘A Century Is Not Enough’. Dada has told that Chappell did not want to allow his return to the team.
Sharad Pawar was the BCCI president when the dispute between Ganguly and Chappell took place. He had a one to one meeting with Ganguly. Pawar said that the coach has accused Ganguly of spoiling the atmosphere of the team. Dada was very hurt by this and said that he made this team, sacrificed the batting order and fought for India many times. How did he suddenly turn into someone who spoils the atmosphere of the team.
What Sharad Pawar told me was hard to digest
Sourav Ganguly has told about the meeting with Sharad Pawar, “I had a face to face meeting with the then board supremo Sharad Pawar. Pawar met me very nicely and I have not forgotten his words, but what he told me was difficult to digest. “Personally, I have a good impression of you, but the coach doesn’t think so,” he said. They say that you are spoiling the atmosphere of the team.
I built this team brick by brick
Sourav Ganguly further said, “I was hurt by the allegation and got a bit emotional. I said, Sir, why don’t you find out from my colleagues whether any problem has arisen because of me or not? I have been the captain of this team for five years and now suddenly I am spoiling the atmosphere of the team? I have built this team by connecting it brick by brick. I sacrificed my batting order. Has often fought with opposition captains to make them take the Indians seriously. Has led India in almost 200 matches. Now suddenly I am being told to spoil the atmosphere of the team?
Pawar was once a ray of hope
Ganguly further adds, “Sharad Pawar said that he has faith in me, but he will have to talk to the team members to be absolutely sure. Later I was wondering if it was because of his conversation with Sachin that I was included in the team for the Pakistan tour. I’ve never known. However, Pawar was once a beacon of hope. He is gone. I didn’t bother them again. It wasn’t fair, but I will always be grateful for the fairness with which he handled the situation.”
