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The Rediff Interview / Dodda Ganesh

'The selectors hadn't played any cricket...'

You went from the slow tracks on which the domestic competitions are played, to the fast tracks of South Africa...

Dodda Ganesh

Yes. Fast bowlers can do much better there, as you can get more pace and bounce, the pitches really give you something to work with. It is very difficult to be a fast bowler on Indian wickets. On a scale of 10, I would rate South Africa, for a fast bowler, as a seven. India would be just 2.

What was your best moment on that South African tour?

I think that was when I took my first Test wicket. South African opening batsman Gary Kirsten has a great reputation, he gets lots of runs, so it was very thrilling when I got him out in my first Test. In fact, all the wickets I got in that series were memorable for me.

Did you feel any pressure, playing in South Africa on your maiden tour?

I felt no pressure at all, as there were six of us from Karnataka already on the team. They all had good experience of playing outside the country, and I used to ask them for advice on how to bowl or face a foreign field. I think I played well in South Africa, although I did not get enough opportunities. Again, I never had enough opportunities on my second and last foreign tour, the West Indies in 1997, as I bowled only in two matches, one of which was washed out with rain. I played the Indepencence Cup, and then was dropped for the Sri Lanka tour.

Sachin Tendulkar was the captain on those tours, how did you find him as a leader?

Sachin Tendulkar

He was excellent. I used to be a great fan of his style of batting, when he was in the nets, no matter how tired I was, I would make it a point to bowl to him, because it was a challenge. Playing under him was very good, he is good for bowlers.

Did he give you the backing you thought you deserved?

Yes, he was very good to me, he gave me good aggressive fields. Naturally, with experienced, senior bowlers like Srinath and Venky (Prasad) around, I didn't get as many overs, only six or seven at a time but that was understandable.

When you look back at that tour, what lessons did you learn from it?

I learnt to always bowl at my best, not to relax. Here, in India, in domestic cricket batsmen get out to bad balls, even. In international cricket, they hit you for fours, so it is very challenging and you always have to concentrate, you can't relax for even one ball.

Was our bowling weak on that tour? We failed to bowl them out twice and win games...

No, I don't think so. They were on their home ground, we took time to adjust but I thought our bowlers did very well, and we almost won the third Test but the weather intervened.

That third match, that was when the South Africans, despite having super soakers and all the modern equipment, mopped the ground with rags after it rained, delayed the drying process to buy time...

I was very new to international cricket at that time, and wouldn't have the temerity to comment on matters pertaining to that period.

So tell us about the West Indies tour?

I played in only two Tests, and did quite well, took four wickets in the first game, and only got to bowl five overs in the second. But that was because we only played for two days, because of the rains.

Did you get a chance to interact with the great bowlers of the Caribbean?

Walsh

I managed to get some tips from greats like Walsh, Marshall, Ambrose and even Michael Holding. They were all nice, pointed out little flaws and taught me how I could improve, little things like holding my head more steady during the delivery.

What other facet of bowling on those tours sticks in your mind?

Michael Holding

The type of balls used. Here, we use SG balls which have a higher seam, it helps you with swing bowling. There they used Kokkaburra balls, with a softer seam, those balls swing only in the first few overs, then you have to wait till the ball gets old and try for reverse swing. Unfortunately, I didn't get to bowl long enough to try different things.

Both your captain, and the coach, described you as a man for the future, after those tours. Yet you were dropped by the selectors, who said you hadn't learnt enough, progressed enough...

Azhar

The selectors we had at that time had never played cricket. They dropped everyone, even players like Kumble, Venky, even Azhar, Dravid. I can't discuss these issues without getting into needless controversy. Let me just say that when such big players, talented players, could be dropped, I was nothing in comparison, so I suppose it is not surprising I was dropped too.

As to what they said about my not having learnt anything, they are compelled to give some reason when they drop a player, so I think they just said something, whatever came to their head, about me too, that's all.

At that time, there were a lot of Karnataka players in the national side, could that have been one of the reasons why you were dropped?

I don't know. But yes, I suppose it is possible that the other states cribbed.

Did any official, one of the selectors, someone in authority talk to you after that, tell you why you were dropped and what you should do to improve?

National Selectors

No, I only read about it in the newspapers, there were reports quoting the chairman of selectors, who said he is still young, he can get back into the team after learning a lot more, he has time...

Look, we all know that all the three series I played in, including the one day tournament in South Africa, were lost by India. I didn't play throughout, but I guess when a team has three consequtive losses, they think they have to overhaul the team and since I was a junior player, I became an unfortunate casualty.

Being dropped unceremoniously like that, how did it feel?

It felt very bad, I was very depressed because I thought I had done well enough whenever I had got a chance. I had little opportunity, but whatever I got I had used well. It was a bad time for me, but my old friends, the people I played tennis ball cricket with, they all rallied around me, they helped me get over those bad days.

I think I came back quite nicely, this year I have already taken 85 wickets in Ranji Trophy, I am the leading wicket taker. In fact, I figured in the 30 names shortlisted for the World Cup, but now I've been dropped again from the final 19, I guess it happens. Actually, I was not in the team first announced for the 1997 Independence Cup, then I was included, maybe, hopefully, something like that will happen before the World Cup as well.

And during the interim, when you were out in the cold, what have you been doing to learn, to improve?

I have been thinking back on my bowling on those tours, all the things I felt I had to learn, and I have been working on those things. I brought back a lot of white balls and Kokkaburra balls from those tours, and have been using those to learn how to bowl better with them. Actually, I was practising with great enthusiasm when I learnt I have been dropped from the World Cup shortlist.

What about physically, any programmes you are working on to become a better bowler?

I do a lot of weight training now, I swim at the KSCA pool, do yoga to improve my strength of mind. Swimming helps me relax, and also gain stamina. I also run every day, do stretching exercises. I go regularly to a gym -- actually, Srinath, Venky and I all go to a master, Gajadev, in J P Nagar for help in these aspects.

What goals have you set for yourself, Ganesh?

Bishen Singh Bedi

I think Bishen Singh Bedi has taken the most number of wickets in domestic cricket, and B S Chandrashekar is still the highest wicket taker for Karnataka. Those are two records I would like to try and break, and I think I can do it.

But those are domestic records, have you given up hope of playing international cricket?

No, I think I am in the reckoning again. My bowling is at least 50 per cent better than it used to be, I already have 85 wickets in Ranji Trophy this year, it has been one of my best seasons. Right now, I want to try and get at least 15 more wickets in the two remaining matches, and help win back the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka.

As to international cricket, I did think I would be in the World Cup squad after my performance this year, but... maybe by bowling well in the remaining Ranji games, I will catch the eyes of the selectors again, as I did years ago when I helped Karnataka win the Irani Trophy. Maybe I will get a chance for the Australian tour, where the wickets are quick and fast bowlers have a good chance.