LONDON, JUNE 3: Criticised often for his poor athleticism and unpredictable running between the wicket, Saurav Ganguly accepts his drawbacks. He is yet evolving as a player. The slow, almost lethargic Ganguly one had seen in 1996 is transforming himself with each outing. ``I was not very athletic. I am working very hard on it. I have started playing football off season and am putting in a lot of work in the gym,'' he says. He has also improved his on-side play.Wherever Ganguly is, the Bengali press is there. He has hardly any time for himself, yet the calm and poise with which he handles the press is not an easy job, especially if you happen to be only 25 years of age. One photographer from Bengal, who is covering the World Cup for his paper, says that back in Calcutta, his picture has to be on Page One almost every day. How does Ganguly handle all this pressure? ``I owe this poise a lot to my wife. She taught me the value of public adulation. I know I can't say no to them. This is the demand being made onme because of my popularity.''But doesn't it irritate him as his privacy gets threatened? ``No, it does not, because I see love in their eyes. They really get happy when I do well. I don't see any arrogance in them. Most of the times they are with me, though they have no professional work with me.''Then he talks about the reaction in Calcutta on the day he scored 183 against Sri Lanka in this World Cup. ``Do you know there were about 50 people at my home, all having come to congratulate my parents with drums and bugles. My mother and wife cooked meals at night for about 40 people and they did it happily. That is the kind of spirit I have acquired from them,'' Ganguly says and adds, ``My parents are really laid back and a bit superstitious. They could have come here and watched the matches. We have a flat here. But they would prefer seeing the match from the same chair and the same room, since I am doing so well here.''The talk shifts to his bowling. ``I really enjoy bowling. May be the reason I dowell is that when I bowl I am not under pressure. Nothing much is expected of me and all I am worried about is maintaining a good line and length.''Debasis Mohanty is waiting outside the hotel restaurant for him. A couple of Bengali journalists and a photographer too are waiting for the conversation to end. Wonder when Ganguly will have time for himself.
