In a recent conversation with Harsha Bhoge, the former captain of England, Nasser Hussain, has credited the president of the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), for making Team India a tough side.
Ganguly took over the captaincy in 2000 and the team went through the transition process. The team made several succession as they won a test match abroad. From caterpillar to butterfly, the team changed its phase and became strong. Nasser has termed Ganguly as the reason to make India a tough team.
The evolution continued even after the Indian player retired and occupied the post of the president of BCCI. Before him, India was a nice team as disclosed by Nasser Hussain.
Nasser along with Harsha also discussed the later times when the players like Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh became the part of the team and has termed their attitude as fiery.
Nasser Hussain: India is a tough team because of Sourav Ganguly
“Before Sourav (Ganguly), India was a nice team, great players, Azhar (Mohammad Azharuddin), Javagal Srinath, they had some fantastic players, but before Sourav, they were a nice team. Very sort of ‘good morning, how you doing’, you know a bit like you Harsha (Bhogle) to be honest (light-hearted tone), very nice (and) pleasant. Ganguly made them a tough team”, Nasser Hussain said to Harsha Bhogle.
The commentator also revealed that Sourav Ganguly made him wait for the toss as he did to Steve Waugh in 2001 in Eden Garden’s test.
“Waiting for the toss for Ganguly, it is half past 10, 10.31 in England, ‘where is Ganguly’?” said Nasser. Harsha asked him “He did that to you too?”
“Steve Waugh, me, everyone (light-hearted tone),” Hussain said as both shared a laugh.
