World Cup Quarter Final : India vs Australia

Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday said Team India have the capability to beat Australia in the World Cup quarterfinals in Ahmedabad on Thursday, maintaining 'M.S. Dhoni's men are a better side'.Sourav's team had lost to Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting's side in both the league match and the final in WC 2003. On being asked if India can beat Australia in what is being called a revenge game, Sourav told, "Yes, there is no doubt about it. India have a good chance of beating Australia. India is a better side."


Speaking on India's main expect against the Aussies, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav said, "I don't mind him failing against the West Indies. Every time he has got out reasonably, he comes out all guns blazing in next match. I hope to see him putting India in a good position against the Aussies."Tendulkar had failed to score big in both the games in WC 2003, when India won all their matches, except against the Aussies. India's only WC winning captain Kapil Dev also said, "They have the ability to beat the Aussies."

Ganguly sees no role with Kolkata

Sourav Ganguly, who failed to draw bids from any of the 10 IPL franchises during the auction on January 8 and 9, has said he wasn't bought for reasons that have not anything to do with cricket, and that he doesn't see a place for himself in the Kolkata Knight Riders set-up. Kolkata, a team Ganguly led in the first and third seasons of the tournament, had existing him a role within the organization. "Shah Rukh Khan spoke to me about a possible role as mentor. I don't think Kolkata Knight Riders needs a mentor. I see no role there," Ganguly told. The team already has sufficient expertise in Whatmore and Akram. I wanted to play and not mentor the team. I didn't see myself in the sort of a role Kumble has chosen."

The franchise struggled to produce consistent results on the field, and Ganguly said that was because the team suffered from a "confidence problem"."I felt there was panic every time we lost. There was panic among the owners, panic among the players. But you need continuity in a team to deliver, like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians."When we don't win three seasons in a row, there's an opportunity to rebuild. I understand Kolkata felt they deserved better and when they got an opportunity to rebuild the team, they wanted to bring in some fresh faces."



He also expressed disbelief that none of the franchises thought he was worth a place based on his cricketing ability. "I had the runs. Players of my age, Gilchrist, Dravid and Laxman are still actively involved. I haven't been able to put the finger on the button why I was left out. Cricketing logic and past form suggests I should have been picked. There are several reasons I could have been dropped, but not for cricket."At the same time, Ganguly rubbished the insight that he comes with baggage and plays politics. "I have played cricket, five years as captain and eight years under different skippers. I have helped in building what the Indian team is today. And this doesn't come by playing politics."

The Kochi franchise did write to the BCCI after the auction to ask if they could sign Ganguly, but some of the other franchises objected to the proposal, and it was shelved, to Ganguly's dismay. "I was very disappointed when the franchises delayed the repurchase. The rules of the IPL have been tainted in the past. Every rule in sport should give an opportunity to play, not keep them out. Whether it's Sourav Ganguly today or some other player sometime."When he is finally done playing the game, Ganguly plans to turn his attention to running it. "I am mentally preparing myself for an administrator's role at some stage. I would love to be part of the Cricket Association of Bengal at some point of my life. I also would love to coach the Indian cricket team as well."