Sourav must in ODI team: Dungarpur

Sourav Ganguly's remarkable comeback into the Indian side seems to have transformed one of his staunchest critics, Raj Singh Dungarpur. The former BCCI President says that Ganguly ought to be a certainty in the One-Day side.

Dungarpur, in his inimitable baritone, commented on a host of other issues in an exclusive interview with Cricketnext. We couldn't resist his views at a time when the theatre of world cricket has reached an intriguing point.

Yet again the game has witnessed two extremes: the full panoply of Australia's mock-heroics and England's mound of ruins. For the Baggy Greens, few old guards made way for generation next. And two legends emoted their final acts.

We saw South Africa's resurgence and despaired at India's unalterable fidelity to old habits.

On the individual front, mortality is losing its hold on Ricky Ponting. While India's all-time genius is on the verge of getting unhorsed.

A proper perspective of these events calls for dispassionate observation. And who better to turn to than a rare savant of the game and ageless store of wisdom.

Cricketnext's Deba Prasad Dhar found Dungarpur in blithe spirits as he shared his views on the recent goings-on in cricket.

Deba Prasad Dhar: Are you surprised at the way Australia quelled England’s challenge to reclaim the fabled Urn? Do you think England’s triumph in the last Ashes series was a fortuitous accident or rather a fluke?

Raj Singh Dungarpur: That is a valid question. Two teams contest a Test match: one team can emerge triumphs by playing outstandingly or make a fistful when the opposition is below par. Australia played badly in the last Ashes series.

But to claim that England is a better side does not arise. This series is proof, if at all one was needed, that Australia are cricket’s supremos – and by far.

After Ashes 2005, one talked of Australia failing in English conditions. I don’t think there is anything like English conditions anymore because wickets are covered. Those conditions existed on uncovered wickets.

The yardstick to evaluate greatness should be: judge a batsman who has played on uncovered wickets and judge a bowler who has bowled on covered wickets.

That is why I hold Hobbs, Hutton and Vijay Merchant in a different league.

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