Sourav Ganguly Chats On Camp Days, ISL Team, And VVS Laxman's Long Showers | BwC S5E14 | Part 2

Whatever you do in life, whatever the amount of money you earn, after leaving cricket go anywhere and work… I said the satisfaction is different, when you hit a cover drive to a fast bowler... When ball hits in the middle, goes through the covers-mid-off and everyone claps, there is no substitute for it. Go run, she is your queen. As I tried to take off my shirt, VVS used to pull it down... I tapped him and said “see Viru we got a boundary"... He said "No problem"...I said "What do you mean

No Problem"?... Be it Ashish, Yuvi or Viru, tell me why i didn't play... Why were you doing this? We are suppose to do it in cricket? I said "we are not suppose, but I did it by mistake"... I'll see you in the evening if you get out... I’ll tell you one-by-one the allegations on you, in our show. Start, I don’t have any problem. We will confirm all the allegations. Sachin told us, he filled your room with water, and slippers were floating…is it true? I was sleeping in the afternoon on sund

ay, I was 14 years old at that time… I was in Indore national camp, Vasu sir use to make us run a lot... So Sunday afternoon we had a leave, so me and my room-mate both of us were sleeping... We woke up at 5 and saw there’s only water in the room and the suitcases are floating... I thought the pipe burst in the room…I went in to the bathroom and it was dry… As I opened the door, Vinod Kambli and Sachin Tendulkar were standing in the front… With buckets and they were going to get more water

in… I said “what are you guys doing?”…he said “no, why are you sleeping in the afternoon”… I said “did I commit a crime sleeping in afternoon”… they said “we will play with the tennis ball”… I said “you could’ve woke me up just by knocking”… I saw Sachin then for the first time, such long hairs…he was from Bombay and he was quite famous back then… He can’t be taken off from the nets… he always used to bat... Vasu sir had to pull him off the nets, “camp is for others too”… Knew he had somethi

ng different from that time… Saw one captain Sachin, who was in anger, because we didn’t play good cricket those days… I have seen his whole cricket from near… From 14 years of age and then played for India, we opened together, so I know that man from inside… What he wants to do at the crease, where he wants to play, who is he angry with. Sachin said something like this, wake up in the morning and run with me, early in your career, I think in 96-97… He was angry because we lost in Barbados

and couldn’t score 120 runs… I first time saw Sachin crying in dressing room because we should’ve won that match against west indies... We got out on good wicket…so anger came out on me…said from tomorrow, every day early morning run… If I want to score runs, I was a young player…if you want to be with me in the team, you’ve to do this… But it is correct, a captain has to be angry... We were roommates in England, so one day I saw he was walking in the room… I said go to the bathroom, be fresh

… and I slept facing the other side... I didn’t ask him anything the next day… Second day I saw again he is walking, so I woke up and sat thinking, what does he do at 01:30 in the night… So he takes a round in the room and then sits on the chair, comes and then sleeps next to me… So the next day I told him “you’re scaring me, what are you doing at night?”… He said “no, I walk while sleeping”…so he had this habit of sleepwalking… What all will we come to know? Standing so far, cannot see from

this far… Tell me loudly, what you want to ask… World cup 92 he took your bat? Sachin has taken your bat a lot of times?… But I find that strange because, Sachin is so like my bat weight is 100 grams more and I’ll have to fix it... For him to use somebody else’s bat that would feel… During the world cup, He used to carry sandpaper… Sandpaper? Yes, Sandpaper… One second, we can’t say sand paper in cricket right? Not even allowed to say right? We can say on bat because, there’s no reverse swin

g with the bat… It becomes lighter only… So he use to carry with him, I started using a heavy bat and he also was using a heavy bat… He used to like the feel of my bat… In 1992 world cup I was dropped from the team, I was not selected for the world cup… So while going home, he said “It’s alright, you go home, don’t worry”…the next tour is there… Then he said “can I take your bat”, I said “you dropped me, you took my bat, what more are you going to do”… So I gave him the bat for world cup… whe

never he use to fail... Whenever he failed to score he used to search for bats… My heavy bats used to be there, he took them and played… He was my roommate in Sydney, I was not playing… I wasn’t getting a chance and he wanted to play the test match, first 2 matches he failed to score. This was in 1992. 92, 91-92… So he woke up at 2 in night in the room and I was sleeping... I woke up suddenly and saw the lights were on, and he kept batting… I said “you got to play tomorrow, sleep now”… In

Australia it was like, the test match used to start late at 11 in the morning... So you can wake up late, late means 8…not that Ajay Jadeja late, but usual late. His good night is at 8 am. So I said “sleep, you got to bat tomorrow” he says “no, I am not able to sleep”… Then next day he says “whenever I feel sleepy I’ll sleep, I am at no.6 so I’ll go and sleep... You wake me up before I’ve to bat”… So when the match was going on, my eye was on him... If I get late and there’s a wicket and

he is sleeping(laughs)… He then scored a century in Sydney, I’ve seen a lot of good times with him. But you had to do this a lot, once you had to knock the door of VVS Laxman. He said or not that he takes a bath before batting... He explained why he used to take a bath. And he baths properly with soaps and all, it’s not like someone is tensed and pressured… You went for a shower and came out quickly, lowered the body temperature and got the pads-on… If you’re a no.5 or no.6, the no.6 has one

eye on the ground and the other on the toilet… Whether VVS was still having a shower. The dirt of years is coming off. Means one time in South Africa, he was 5, I was 6 when it was my comeback series in cape-town… And it was the last test, so Sachin was going to bat and umpire asked him to wait… He said “no, you were off field for last 10 minutes, so the wicket fell down in just 10 minutes, so you cannot bat”… So next was VVS and he was in shower… And I was in tracksuit… And then one leg of m

ine was padded up by Sachin and the other was padded up by the coach… I am wearing a t-shirt from up and getting prepared like that. Like a bride is getting ready… just like that and I am inside in 2 mins, and then to VVS later I told him “you nearly killed me today”. We also asked to VVS, he said it was umpire’s mistake, he didn’t tell us in the morning, Sachin can’t go in”. It was his mistake also, he was also taking a bath… It was not umpire’s mistake mostly, because Sachin was out of the

field for 10-12minutes. He said umpires didn’t tell us in the morning, if he would’ve told us I would’ve been ready… So he directly blamed the umpire... So, Coach Ravi Shastri said... They left you while leaving in bus. Don’t interview him in the morning, don’t bring him on the breakfast show, he won’t remember anything... When i meet i'll say him, what do you say on breakfast show... I don’t know this thing hasn’t happened, but don't interview him in morning... Do it in the evening so he re

members everything… I love this about you, bouncers coming in at you but you not are not scared I did a lot of growing up in Calcutta, actually a few days ago I remembered one story… You came back from the 92 tour, you came to swim in The Tollygunge club… We were kids, means kind-off 11-12 years old… So in Tollygunge we were only 3 cousins and making noise in the swimming pool, you came for a swim… I think you saw that these are very irritating children, so I think after 15 minutes you left

the pool… So suddenly we recognised you, that it was Sourav Ganguly and we came running to the dressing room… And you were just like combing your head and getting ready… So we asked a few questions, I think must have been the first cricket interview I must’ve had… In 92 Tollygunge club changing room… I asked what is there in Australia, how is the bounce, that’s when you told us and I remember one line... Where you said that “I didn’t get a chance and it was tough as well in Australia”. It ta

kes some time to get used to…because that Australia was different Australia… Pace, bounce and that time India didn’t play good cricket outside because, we didn’t go that frequently outside… In 91 I remember we went to Australia, and after that we went to Australia in 99… That was after 8 years, 8 years is too much and I was 17 years old that time, my game was yet to be developed… So went home, we played first class cricket and it was fun, our team was good… And you also had a bowling machine

at your home? Dad had everything done for his son, gym, bowling machine, practice pitches. Wow. Also had net, one cement and one turf… That keep playing here, downstairs was gym, bowling machine and everything… I became a net bowler, went in as a batsman and became a net bowler… There was a time when we took boots from the dressing room and used to think I won’t get a chance… Take this and from start to end just keep bowling. But you liked bowling? I liked and that’s the reason why maybe bo

wling had improved, kept bowling continuously so I got the idea. This I have noticed about you and Sunil Gavaskar have in common... You used to think that you both were West Indies pace bowlers… No, he is lot slower than me… His ball we have to give air from behind to make it reach, I still used to make it reach… My edges used to carry to the keepers…for his, the keepers had to come ahead for the edges. On 7th it's Mahendra singh Dhoni’s birthday, on 8th it is Sourav Ganguly’s birthday... 10

th July it is Sunil Gavaskar’s birthday. In July there are lot of runs for India. Runs and Captains also…for us to complete this line-up there is a captain for 9th July... He is 10-12 years and thinking of getting birth on 9th July… And one more thing…something you’ve in common with Smriti mandhana... She is our upcoming start Smriti mandhana… and what’s common between you two? We both play left handed. Both of you play left handed but originally you both are right handed… And why you both p

lay left handed is also common because of elder brothers... This is something in sort of common with Sachin means it is a big brother factor… That is also common with Sachin, he used to bat with his brothers bat, that's why his game became this way… And between you and Smriti mandhana this thing is common that both your older brother played left handed. Had to wear the glove, or else gloves would’ve been different… That time dad used to buy kits for him and I used to play football… When we p

layed the first match, one India U-15 Bengal matches were there, so 7 guys had typhoid… That time too many people were having typhoid in Calcutta ‘89 I think or ‘88… So 7 guys had typhoid and there were no players in the team, at that time selection policy wasn’t this strict… So I was asked will you play and I answered “yes, I will”… But there was no kit, I took my brothers bat, gloves and pad… Went scored a century in the first match and at home there were 4 elder brothers, everyone was left

handed… Everyone used to work right handed, eating, drinking, throwing everything left handed… But when picked the bat it was left handed… So seeing them this happened, I am also the same, strong hand is right hand… But when I picked the bat it was left handed… It is also with Sachin he does everything left handed and picks his bat from right hand. So we went to clear this confusion and he got us even more confused… Because he said that “when he picks up his fork it is left handed and cho

psticks from the right hand”… I didn’t understand it at all. Ask him to write it and come, and we shall read it… So, you took your brothers place, what is this story? It was final match, I was in class 12, I didn’t think that I would play because I was sitting out for whole season… 15 days after the finals I had my board exams. So this is the U-19, this is the Ranji trophy Bengal team…so you’ve not played in the season until then? No, no not a single game, I had gone for my tuitions, I came b

ack home, everyone sitting quiet on the sofa… So I didn’t knew I went inside, I kept my books on the table, and told mom “I’m hungry, give me food”… So she took me to the dining table, she gave me food and I was eating…so I asked if everything was okay? She said “Yeah, everything is okay”…I said “what happened why is everyone quiet?”… So she is like you’re playing tomorrow…I was like “What? I’m playing tomorrow?” At that time there was no media, so much media TV Internet and these things weren

’t there… So I was very happy, I was like great, I’ll get to play the Ranji trophy final… So had food came home, so I asked brother that who is sitting outside?… Whose place am I playing? He says “in my place”, so that smile on my face went. I remember reading a long time ago, that your love story with your wife has a Parineeta kind-off situation... You broke neighbours walls. They were neighbours, didn’t need to break the wall, it was exaggerated in media but. It was exaggerated in media th

at you eloped, that you got married and didn’t tell anyone. No I didn’t get married, Dad got me married with pomp… In February ‘97, there was a problem in home, it was a conservative family… Nobody had a love marriage in the family, so nobody was that brave hearted to tell that I like that girl… When we use to go home, Dad use to tell give attention to cricket, I’ll take care of the rest you play cricket… Oh, wow. And joint families has this thing in common, father says I’ll take care becaus

e... To question there are more than in press conference…do you know what his kid did? It becomes a national debate and in Calcutta everyone has hobby to come in between… Definitely. Come sit, have tea, gossips. In Kolkata’s street the number of goals scored by Messi and Ronaldo, they haven’t scored in their career… "Pada" means locality. Every place there is Messi... You'll see during the world cup in everyone street there are brazil and Argentina’s flag... I said “should have played one worl

d cup before placing so many flags”… There are a lot of supporters… they’re very passionate. Very passionate. They’re great in posting things… sitting on a chair having tea... Saying it could’ve been a goal from this angle that angle, when you ask them to kick they’ll say it’s time to sleep… Tea, chair and Gossips. Jalebi and samosa’s (Indian Snacks)… Yes, early morning...so is this the reason why you have your own football club… Or didn’t get a chance to play enough football in childhood. No

it isn’t a coincidence…tournament was starting so there was supposed to be a team from Bengal... Or else how will it work if there’s no football in Bengal… When this talks were going on, we will also try if we win in the bid, we won and then. You won the title… So now people in Calcutta, are they more proud of Sourav Ganguly the Indian cricket team captain... Or are they more proud of Sourav Ganguly the football club owner? Cricket, cricket…I’m just the owner of football club, only sitting o

n the chair and having tea and cheer… But having to go and play cricket, there’s a difference…nobody can take away cricket from this country. It just gets bigger and bigger. Oh Yeah absolutely… Of all your batting performances, which one did you think was more dominating? You’ve hit 16 test centuries, whichever test century you hit your team never lost. I think my first century at lord’s was very important because... I could say myself that I can play at this level…this level I got a chance

and I scored a century... I am worth to play at this level…and second those who are with cricket... Because in India cricket is such a big game that there are opinions from everyone… And those who are giving opinions have thought that this guy is not out of place… So if it creates such a big impact from one innings, then from my view, that is the most important innings in life. It was fun, we played together and it was like a family... There was freedom and space for everyone... But we have

to push in the ground... You train and practice, push on the ground... you can do whatever you want to do the rest... From morning 8 to 4 in the afternoon are my hours... From 04:30 yours, this was my theory... Whatever i say will happen there... After 04:30 you can make me run wherever you want to... Who takes care of captain? captain has to take care of himself and the team. You all were fab 4. That time did you get the feel that, like as the West Indies had 4 pace bowlers we had 4 batsmen.

.. And at the end Viru also joined in that line… From 2001-2006 it felt like, I was the player and captain so it was like somebody will make it… If Viru gets out then Rahul will make it, if Rahul gets out then Sachin will make it... If Sachin gets out then Sourav will make it, and if nobody makes it then our shower guy will make it. The S in VVS. The S is very very special, and one of the best persons you’ll ever meet… Nice. Sir it’s done, I’ve covered all the things I wanted to. And there’s

nothing left, if I don’t give interview for the next 5 years it will still work. First I am going to drop a message to Ashish Nehra... And will tell him, we told Dada 11:30, dada came sharp 11:30, so don’t spread rumours.