Fans of former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly were disappointed as the stylish cricketer was not part of the Pune Warriors playing eleven in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kings XI Punjab here Sunday.
Ganguly, who is also popularly known as ’Dada’, made a dramatic comeback in the fourth season of the IPL this week after he was signed by Pune Warriors India in place of an injured fast bowler Ashish Nehra.
However, he did not play in the match against Kings XI Punjab here at Punjab Cricket association (PCA) stadium Sunday.
’Ganguly wants to prepare well before playing any of the IPL matches. He is working very hard in the nets,’ said Pune Warriors India caption Yuvraj Singh explained before the start of the match.
’He has practiced very intensely on yesterday. I have not seen him practicing so hard even for the Test match before this,’ he added.
Ganguly, who had led Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders during the last IPL season, was given a cold shoulder during this year’s players auctions.
’I am very disappointed that Ganguly is not playing. I had come to the stadium just to see his batting,’ Prashant Jha, an ardent fan of Ganguly, told IANS.
Bhumika, another fan of Dada, said, ’Though Ganguly is not playing today but we want to wish him luck for the rest of the IPL matches. We want him to hit as many sixes as he can to ensure Pune’s win in the next matches.’
(IANS)