‘Bangladesh should have done better’
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly was very happy with the arrangements for the pink-ball Test in Kolkata and the resounding success of the opening day of the match.
Bangladesh put a damper on proceedings as their innings unraveled on the very first day as they were bundled out for 106 runs in 30.3 overs. The former India skipper had praised the Tigers during the World Cup but felt that they should have fared better.
Ganguly had left no stone unturned in preparing for India’s first day-night affair with the pink ball. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was invited as the chief guest for the historic occasion and all the members of the Test side that played in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test in 2000 were among the star names present for the opening day.
The BCCI president thanked the Bangladesh Prime Minister and spoke of their bond over the years.
“I am very, very grateful that the Prime Minister accepted my invitation after just one word. I have been in touch with her for many years. When we played that Test match against Bangladesh in 2000, she became the prime minister,” Ganguly said while talking to reporters at his Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) office.
Despite all the arrangements that were made, Bangladesh were left ruing yet another batting debacle in the second Test. “I think they should have played better than this,” Ganguly remarked.
During the debut Test, Bangladesh faced a strong India side that consisted of the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath. That Test was also Ganguly’s first as captain of the Indian Test team. Bangladesh surprised by scoring 400 in the first innings with Aminul Islam hitting 145.
“They actually played really well in that Test. They made 400 runs in one of two innings against us,” Ganguly remembered.
It was yet another busy day at the CAB offices for Ganguly. Having arranged such an enormous event, he was thankful that a capacity crowd enjoyed the match. “The most important thing is thousands of people were able to watch the grand event from the field. I was not tense about successfully arranging all the staff but I had to be very busy.”
The newly-appointed BCCI president presented the Bangladesh Prime Minister with a photo of Bangabandhu and added that he wanted to be present when Bangladesh celebrate Bangabandhu’s 100th birth anniversary.
“We presented the Prime Minister with a photo of her father framed in gold. I know that Bangladesh are preparing to mark the occasion with joyous celebrations for the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. I heard that they will host matches between Asia XI and World XI.
“I will definitely be present on the occasion,” he promised.
