Ganguly’s counter punch before big fight

To prove his point, he went to the extent of saying that the Indian think-tank hasn’t quite worked out any strategy right now for the Kiwis who, according to him, ‘‘is not a world class side but certainly competitive.’’ He added that ‘‘there was still time and besides we have played the likes of Fleming, McMillan long enough to know how to bowl at them.’’

Those much-hyped Kiwi net sessions at home under the artificially simulated subcontinent conditions of the high decibel level on fields and the turning tracks didn’t quite impress Ganguly. According to him, those tape-recorded noises to create the cacophony of Indian cricket grounds,‘‘wouldn’t make them ready for the real test.’’

The only cause of concern for the skipper is the urgent need for some match practice. ‘‘After the off-season, I have played just four short innings on field. In second innings of the Irani Cup I did spend some time in the middle, but the match got over. Going into the Test series, I would have liked more match practice,’’ he said. Confessing about his plans of playing for the Board President’s XI at Vizag he said, ‘‘I had intentions of playing at Vizag but certain developments forced me out of it.’’ When he said ‘‘certain developments’’ he meant the court case with his marketing agent.

Other than the series, Ganguly commented on international cricket’s hottest issue: sledging. ‘‘The match referee and the umpires in the middle should interfere a little more to control sledging,’’ he said.