Ganguly to pick IPL babes for Kolkata Knight Riders

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, who is popularly known as the Prince of Kolkata, will pick a new cheerleader for his Indian Premier League team, the Kolkata Knight Riders. sourav_ganguly-238x300 Ganguly to pick IPL babes for Kolkata Knight Riders

Ganguly is all set to make his small screen debut in Shahrukh Khan’s show, Knights and Angels. But unlike other cricketers he will not be seen participating, but rather judging the reality show Knights and Angels.
The talent hunt show, which will air on NDTV Imagine, will look for cheerleaders who will cheer for Kolkata Knight Riders in the second edition of the Indian Premier League.

Ganguly has agreed to appear on reality TV show, The Sun reported.

Shahrukh Khan had brought in the much needed glamour quotient to the first edition of the IPL.

King Khan is showing serious interest in television production and Red Chillies Entertainment will produce the show.

Noted choreographer Shiamak Davar will train the girls taking part in the show. L

But cheerleaders and the megabucks Twenty20 tournament have not always mixed well together.

Last year, Dehli Daredevils withdrew their cheerleaders after an outrage from local politicians. And, Deccan Chargers all-rounder Shahid Afridi complained his team’s dancers were an unwanted distraction. (ANI)

Bengal plays Goa in Ganguly’s swansong

NEW DELHI: Sourav Ganguly’s final appearance in first-class cricket would be the highlight of the Bengal-Goa Ranji Trophy plate league match at the Karnail Singh Stadium here.

A huge media turn out at the venue on the eve of the semifinal fixture indicated the significance of Ganguly’s presence in a match that would decide which of the two teams qualifies for the Elite grade next season.

Goa has never travelled thus far and a victory would mean making history for the underdog. But Bengal has much at stake.

“I had agreed to play this match to help Bengal qualify for the elite group. I vividly remember my debut season (1989-90) and have some fond memories of domestic cricket. It has been a long journey,” said Ganguly.

The teams (from): Bengal: Laxmi Ratan Shukla (captain), Sourav Ganguly, Rohan Banerjee, Manoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Avik Chowdhury, Ashok Dinda, Ritam Kundu, Sourav Sarkar, Dibyendu Chakraborty, Ranadeb Bose, Anustup Majumdar, Iresh Saxena, Avik Mullick and Soham Ghosh.

Goa: Swapnil Asnodkar (captain), Aditya Angle, J. Arunkumar, Saurabh Bandekar, Robin D’Souza, Shadab Jakati, Sagun Kamat, Advait Katkar, Ryan Ninan, Ajay Ratra, Santosh Shinde, Rohit Asnodkar, Harshad Gadekar, Ambey Parvatkar, Ankit Desai and Ryan D’Souza. — Special Correspondent

Ganguly gears up for his last Ranji tie

New Delhi, Dec. 17: Sourav Ganguly is gearing up for one last challenge on the cricket field. The former India captain, who retired from international cricket last month, will be out in the middle Thursday in a bid to take Bengal to the Super Division in the Ranji Trophy.
If Bengal manage to win their semi-final match against Goa then they are back again in the Super Division. For Ganguly a win will be a fitting farewell from his home team as he has decided not to play any more first-class games even if Bengal qualifies for Super Division.
The grass on the Karnail Singh Stadium pitch here is likely to inspire Bengal to take three pacers in the final eleven. Though the team will be announced before the match, Divyendu Chakraborty will retain his place. Either of Anustup Majumder or Rohan Banerjee will give way to Sourav who is set to bat at number five.
On the eve of the match, the 36-year-old became nostalgic and remembered his first-class debut 18 years ago. As a 17-year-old he came in as a replacement for his elder brother Snehasish against a formidable Delhi attack in the Ranji Trophy final in 1990 at the Eden Garden. Ganguly made just 22 runs as Bengal went on to win the trophy for the first time since 1939.
"I still remember my first Ranji match. It was tough as Delhi had the best bowling attack," recalled Ganguly on the eve of the match.
"Since then I have been playing for Bengal and also led them. Domestic cricket is very important for any international player. This is an important match for Bengal. Good to play cricket again," he added.
The day Ganguly retired from international cricket he said he was open to help his team. On a request from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), he is here to play.
CAB's chairman of selectors Mr Sambaran Banerjee, who is touring with the team, also recalled the spring on 1990 when Ganguly came out to play under him in the all important Ranji final. "He was 17 that time and in very matured way he handled the formidable Delhi bowling led by Manoj Prabhakar. Sourav made just 22 but left an indelible mark as then chief national selector Raj Singh Dungarpur came down during the lunch to enquire about this new boy. And now rest is history," he said.
Banerjee is now banking on Ganguly's experience to help Bengal claw back into the elite group. "This is like final for us so his presence will matter a lot for the team. Though he won't be leading the side his experience will be of great help. He is a born leader," Banerjee said. All the bowlers, be it the experienced Ranadeb Bose or the young Ashok Dinda, everyone was eager to bowl at Ganguly who himself looked keen in the nets. For Ganguly it was like any other day in office. "I train with these boys during the off days. So it is nothing unusual for me."
Asked whether in-form Yuvraj Singh is his worthy replacement, Ganguly said: "After Gavaskar, Mohinder, Vengsarkar went, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid replaced them. So when we go there must be some replacement. He (Yuvraj) is a talented player and has established himself in ODIs and trying to do now in the Tests."

Ganguly in Bengal squad

KOLKATA: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been named in the Bengal Ranji Trophy squad for the Plate division semifinal against Goa. L.R. Shukla will remain the skipper.

Bengal selectors, headed by Sambaran Banerjee, decided to retain the squad, which won the final league match against Vidarbha by virtue of first innings, lead and topped group B. To add muscle to the squad Ganguly has been added.

The squad: Laxmi Ratan Shukla (captain), Sourav Ganguly, Rohan Banerjee, Monoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Avik Chowdhury, Ashok Dinda, Ritam Kundu, Sourav Sarkar, Dibyendu Chakraborty, Ranadeb Bose, Anushtup Majumdar, Iresh Saxena, Avik Mullick and Soham Ghosh. Coach: Utpal Chatterjee; Manager: Sujan Mukherjee.

Sourav Ganguly watches Ranji Trophy match

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly watches Ranji Trophy match at Eden Garden in Kolkata.

Four cricket heros in stage

Former Indian skipper Anil Kumble, along with Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman were felicitated by the BCCI in Nagpur

Sourav Ganguly playing his last Test in Nagpur

Sourav Ganguly, who is playing his last Test in Nagpur, took the occasion to thank all and said though he didn't endear to all, he always had the team interest in mind. "It was a long journey with lots of ups and downs, victory and loss but it was wonderful. Sharing the dressing room with the likes of Anil, Sachin, Rahul (Dravid) and Laxman has been an honour and privilege. "During the journey, I made both friends and enemies but it was all for the good of Indian cricket," said the left-hander