Ganguly eyes runs and victories

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, under pressure to retain his post because of his poor Test batting form, is hoping the new year will bring him runs and his side an elusive overseas Test series win.

"It was a disappointing year of Test cricket for me," said Ganguly from Calcutta on Wednesday.

But the 29-year-old denied he faced a technique problem in Tests. "It is just a bad phase. It is only a matter of time.

"Both in one-dayers and Tests I have got starts. I have converted them in the one-day game but not in Tests," he said.

Ganguly has not scored a Test hundred in two years and has managed only three fifties in 27 innings since taking over as captain late in 2000.

But in contrast, he has maintained his one-day form, scoring two hundreds and six fifties from 22 innings last year.

He managed only 68 runs in four innings during last month's three-Test home series against England, won 1-0 by India, to leave the national selectors concerned.

Chief selector Chandu Borde said it was too early to comment whether Ganguly faced the sack, but he has been asked to play in a domestic one-day tournament starting on Thursday along with struggling team mate Vangipurappu Laxman.

HIGH-PROFILE JOB

Ganguly said the pressures of captaincy had nothing to do with his poor Test scores.

"Not really. I realise captaincy is a high-profile job. The expectations are immense in India. One should be able to do it."

Known for his sweetly-time shots through the off-side, the left-hander has in the past two seasons looked uncomfortable against short, rising deliveries aimed at his rib-cage.

Ganguly also hoped India would finally end their 16-year wait with a Test series victory outside the sub-continent with three tours lined up in 2002.

India travel to West Indies in April and then to England in June before playing in New Zealand at the end of the year.

India shocked Australia with a 2-1 home victory last year, but their poor overseas run continued as they drew 1-1 in Zimbabwe and lost 1-2 in Sri Lanka.

South Africa then beat them 1-0 in a two-Test series before inflicting an innings defeat in the third unofficial game.

Ganguly said the team's aim was the 2003 World Cup.

"We played well in patches last season, but it was still much better than what it used to be. Our main aim is next year's World Cup. So it is important we play well before that."

Besides his poor batting form, Ganguly was attacked by media and some international players for his lacklustre leadership.

But Ganguly said it was only a tactic to undermine his team.

"That is undoubtedly part of a strategy," he added.

Mail Cricket Editor