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The last over- Why Ganguly tried Zaheer
- Scorecard
 Colombo,
July 28: Indian captain Sourav Ganguly yesterday said that he decided to try out
Zaheer Khan for the final over against Sri Lanka fearing that a spinner could
have proved costly. He said although Virender Sehwag was bowling well, and had
an over left from his quota, it would have been too much of a risk at that stage
of a crucial match. "If I had tried spinner in the final over, he could
have got hit," Ganguly said after India's four run victory over the hosts
to secure a berth in the final against the same opponent on Sunday.
Sri Lanka needed 11 runs from
the last over with two wickets in hand when Ganguly opted to go with Zaheer
instead of Sehwag, who had taken three important wickets for 37 runs in his nine
overs. The Indian skipper also expressed hope that stylish batsman VVS Laxman
would be available for the final and that the team would be at full strength on
Sunday. "We were helped by the fact that Murali and (Chaminda) Vaas were
missing from this game. But by that token, VVS (Laxman) was also not on our
side. Hopefully, he will be fit for the final."
 Ganguly
praised man of the match Sehwag for his all round contribution which saw him
scoring a 81 and then claiming three crucial wickets, including Sanath
Jayasuriya, to script an Indian victory. "See how quickly things change in
one-day cricket," Ganguly said, adding, "Sehwag struck form at the
right moment for us." The Indian skipper was all praise for Jayasuriya, who
scored his 18th one-day century before getting out on 130, saying it was one of
the truly memorable knocks seen in one-day internationals ever. "I hope he
has now scored all his runs against us and there is nothing more left in his
kitty," commented Ganguly. "It was truly a great innings but then he
has been doing it for so many years."
The Indian captain also came
down heavily on the critics and said that all those who said that Team India was
a myth would now be made to eat their words. "All those who predicted that
Team India is no longer working, will have something to think about now,"
said Ganguly, barely able to hide his hurt. He praised all his bowlers for
fighting till the end but singled out young Irfan Pathan for his splendid effort
of two for 34 from nine overs. "It was a very good performance by a
medium-pacer in unfavourable conditions," concluded Ganguly.
Sri Lankan skipper Marvan
Atapattu was, however, not disappointed at his team's defeat and termed
Jayasuriya's dismissal as the turning point of the match. "I am not
disappointed. We did try our best even though two of our key players were
missing." (Agencies)
Published: Monday, July 28, 2004
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