If we can't chase 222 we are asking for trouble: Saurav Ganguly
Rex Clementine - 22 July 2001
A disappointed Sourav Ganguly blamed his batsman for their second
consecutive loss in the Coca Cola Cup at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
India restricted Sri Lanka to 221, but at the end fell short by six
runs; "We should have won this game. If we can't chase a score like
that with 4 wickets in hand, I think we are asking for trouble"
remarked the Indian captain.
"I really fancied our chances when we bowled them out for 221. This is
a game we should have won. This was a good cricketing wicket" said the
Indian captain who was not entirely happy with the wicket when his
side lost to New Zealand earlier in the tournament.
Things were going well for Sri Lanka with the openers batting well in
the first 10 overs, but the introduction of Harbhajan Singh paid
dividends for the Indians as he claimed the wicket of the Sri Lankan
captain Sanath Jayasuriya in his very first over. "He's a great
bowler. We knew Sri Lanka's batting depended mostly on Sanath
Jayasuriya, when Harbhajan got rid of him we knew a big worry was
over."
"I thought Suresh Perera batted really well. He's not the worst number
10 around. He batted well. But even then, we should have won the
game."
Skipper Ganguly dropped himself down the order instead of opening the
innings and scored a fine 69. "I knew it was going to be difficult
when the spinners come on. I thought it was best to take the attack to
them"
"Talking about my own form, I have been batting well. That can happen
in a long career, it happened against Australia, people can say lot of
things but you've got to concentrate on your game."
Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya meanwhile declared this game as,
"one of the best that I have played in" but he warned his batsmen,
"It's a matter for concern. I think the middle order have to bat with
more responsibility. 220 on such a wicket is not a good score."
The game was a close affair and Jayasuriya bowled spin from both ends
in the death overs, "It was not easy to score off the spinners during
that time. The batsmen had to take lot of risks. That's why I
persisted with the spinners"
The captain also praised Suresh Perera who won the man of the match
award for his burst at the death with the bat and the two early
wickets he got; "He's been excellent. We are looking for an all
rounder. I was happy with his performance, he gave his hundred percent
and that's what we need."
Perera who has just returned to international cricket after back and
groin injury was delighted about his performance, "I am delighted. I
feel great. This is the first time I have won the man of the match
award."
When Perera went to bat Sri Lanka were in real trouble with 7 down for
154 and more than 10 overs to go, "The senior partner out there was
Kumar Dharmasena. He told me not to hit any rash shots. We decided to
rotate the strike by pushing for ones and twos. It worked very well
and we put up a useful 49 run partnership."
Perera also bowled impressively as he sent the Indian openers back to
the pavilion before they got going, "We knew we needed early wickets.
Because this is a huge ground and they can pick up a lot of runs in
singles and twos. I like to attack the batsmen, I attacked and the
wickets came."
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