We did not deserve to win: Ganguly  Sydney, Feb 9: Captain Sourav Ganguly yesterday said India did not play well in the two finals and did not deserve to win but mentioned that the long-winding tour may have taken its toll on his young side. "We did not play well in the two finals -- so we didn't deserve to win. They(Aus) just lifted their game when it mattered," the Indian cricket captain said as India lost the tri-series finals 2-0 after a 208-run mauling in the second match here. "When we came over we told ourselves we wanted to check us out in Australia. It was also challenge for us to keep the momentum going for two and a half months," he said. The Indian momentum seemed to flag off towards the end and Ganguly hinted it could be the length of the tour which got to them in the end. "The length of the tour, especially after you have played four Tests...I think the one-day tour could be reduced at the league stage." "Look at the way the Australians plan their cricket. They would be touring the sub-continent for two and half months. They are going to India just for four Tests -- it is a matter of a month and 10 days, so the boys are not fatigued or tired." "England also for instance, when they came over here last year they broke up the Tests and one-dayers." Ganguly, however, gave full credit to Australia who played as many matches as they did but kept the momentum going till the final day of the summer. (Agencies) Published: Monday, February 09, 2004 Back to Index