North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: Indian cricket legend and former captain Sourav Ganguly has had a ‘sour-sweet’ relationship with South Africa. In 2003, under the captaincy of Ganguly, the Indian team lost to Australia in the World Cup final at Johannesburg. Now exactly 22 years later, history has repeated itself on South African soil. In the fourth season of SA20 (South Africa T20 League), as the head coach of Pretoria Capitals, Ganguly took his team to the finals, but in the title match, they had to face defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Journey from laggard to ‘finalist’: Ganguly’s magic
The start of this season was very bad for Pretoria Capitals. The team was able to register only one win in the first five matches. After this, the experience and strategy of coach Sourav Ganguly showed its effect and the team made a great comeback by winning three consecutive matches. By winning two out of the next four matches, the team reached the playoffs and secured their place in the finals. Ganguly revived this team which had performed poorly in the last two seasons with his ‘cricketing wisdom’.
The team missed the last step of the finals
Pretoria Capitals’ batting faltered in the final match played at Newlands ground in Cape Town. Chasing a low score, Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered a thrilling victory in the last over and won their third title in four seasons. Even though Ganguly’s team lost the final, the game shown by the team under the leadership of Keshav Maharaj and the guidance of ‘Dada’ is being praised everywhere.
Graeme Smith praised Ganguly fiercely
SA20 commissioner and former South African captain Graeme Smith was impressed by Ganguly’s influence. In a press conference, Smith said, “Dada is one of the best leaders of the game and an icon of India. His arrival has raised the level of the league. Although I know he will be disappointed to lose the final, but to get the team this far after two poor seasons is a big thing.” Smith also expressed his wish to see Ganguly in South Africa next year also.
What did Smith say on BCCI and Indian players?
The SA20 league has always been keen to include Indian players, but due to strict BCCI rules, active Indian players cannot play in foreign leagues. To this, Graeme Smith said, “We are in constant touch with the BCCI and respect their rules. Even though there are no active players, the addition of veterans like Ganguly and Dinesh Karthik has given the league an Indian touch.”
For Sourav Ganguly, the ‘unfinished business’ in South Africa has now become the challenge of the next year. Will ‘Dada’ be able to lift his first coaching trophy in the Rainbow Nation in 2027? It will be interesting to see.
