Performance matters, not age: Sourav- Indian Cricket-News-Sections-Indiatimes - Cricket

Performance matters, not age: Sourav- Indian Cricket-News-Sections-Indiatimes - Cricket: "Performance matters, not age: Sourav"

He is a man of many parts, but cricket is his life. Perhaps that's why during his exile from Team India, forced on him by the selectors, he looked like a fish out of water.

But now that he is back, the smile is back on his boyish face. Talking cricket comes naturally to Sourav Ganguly. He did just that during an hour-long chat with TOI on Tuesday prior to his departure for Nagpur. Excerpts from an exclusive interview :

With less than two months to go for the World Cup, we are still nowhere near finalising our squad. Does that augur well for Team India?

I think the selectors, coach and captain already have a fair idea about what sort of combination they want for the World Cup. Unfortunately, a few players are struggling with injuries and form at this critical juncture. Hopefully, everybody will be fit and available when the selectors sit down to pick the final XV.

Do you think that there is enough time left for Team India to turn it around before they mount their World Cup campaign?

I think by the end of the four-match ODI series against the West Indies, the Indian think-tank would have made up their minds about whom to leave out and whom to include in the World Cup side. I, for one, won't be surprised if the team that takes on Sri Lanka in the series that follows will essentially comprise players who will ultimately go to the World Cup.

The list of 30 probables announced by the selectors has quite a few 'senior' players. Don't you think our Cup side will be many ageing stars?

Age has nothing to do with performance. Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar have been playing international cricket over a decade and a half. One just has to look at their consistency. Regarding our World Cup side, only Anil, among the bowlers, is over 30.

Our main batsmen, including me, are in the mid-30s, which is no big deal. As long as we are match-fit and can deliver under pressure, age should not matter.

Talking about fitness, you have really worked hard on it...

I am not a fitness fanatic. I have always believed in being match-fit, or cricket fit. I have never neglected my fitness regimen. Even when I was out of the team, you would find me at the Eden Gardens or the gym, sweating it out.

Would you say you are a better batsman today than say five years ago?

I would say that I am a lot wiser and a lot more choosy about shot-selection. Experience has helped me to tighten up my game. But each innings presents a new opportunity to learn. The idea is to learn from your mistakes, not repeat them.

How is your equation with coach Greg Chappell now?

It's back on an even keel. Misunderstandings happen in life. Both of us being professionals have buried the past and moved on. We have a very healthy working relationship going.