Ganguly takes a dig at ICC for rejecting Sachin’s ODI formula

Kolkata: Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said that he was not surprised to see ICC rejecting Sachin Tendulkar`s suggestion to revamp the ODIs by splitting the format into four innings of 25 overs each.

"I am not at all surprised. Everybody knows that India are powerhouse in world cricket and the ICC has a tendency to keep anything on hold when it comes from India," Ganguly said. But at the same time he said 50-over cricket was hugely successful. "One-day format has it`s place as we have seen during the hugely successful World Cup." Asked about Tendulkar`s landmark 100th international century which has eluded him for quite sometime now, Ganguly said it has nothing to do with mental factor. "It`s just a matter of time. If he was good enough for 99, he will be good for 100 as well." Ganguly said India need to produce a bowling attack which who can do without injured pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. "We need to live without Zaheer. I am sure he will make a comeback but we need to have bowlers who can take 20 wickets in Test cricket," he said. Asked whether experienced spiner Harbhajan Singh had lacked the usual sting in England, Ganguly said: "He was injured. But remeber that he has taken more than 400 Test wickets. He is still a match winner for India." On the recurring injuries to the Indian cricketers, he said: "Injuries are a part and parcel of sportpersons` life. But when one makes a comeback from injury it is important to know that being gym-fit and acquiring match fitness are two different things." Ganguly, who represents Pune Warriors in IPL, also announced that he would play for Bengal in the one-dayers and Twenty20 domestic competitions. "I will play for Bengal in all the Twenty20 and one-day competitions. I will see how much Ranji cricket I can play for Bengal." PTI