"In cricket a score of 100 on Saturday means nothing on Sunday," says Sourav Ganguly

"In cricket a score of 100 on Saturday means nothing on Sunday," says Sourav Ganguly

The best thing about cricket is...

That a score of 100 on Saturday means nothing on Sunday. You have to start from scratch. Cricket is a great learning experience, it teaches you how to stay level-headed.

If not a cricketer, you’d have been...

Into academics, for sure. A doctor or an engineer or whatever my mother wanted me to be. She never wanted me to play cricket.

Being the captain of the Indian cricket team taught you...

How to handle pressure in life.

What other sports do you enjoy?

I used to be fond of football, but now there’s no time for it.

Out of all your nick names, Dada, The Maharaja, The Warrior Prince, which one are you most fond of?

Actually I’m not fond of any of them, but if I must choose, I’ll go with Dada.

Advice for youngsters.

Play at least one sport. It teaches you about life.

What kind of relationship do you and Sachin Tendulkar share today?

We have been good friends, and have played together for so long. We have a good understanding between us.

Your favourite cricket ground.

Eden Gardens and Lord’s.

The best thing about marriage is...

That you love someone, share your life with them, have lovely children who are the best things in the world, and also have someone who helps you cope with getting fired!

Has your wife, Dona, been able to teach you any dance moves?

I’ve not gone mad to learn dance! [Laughs] I’m happy with cricket and I leave dancing to my wife and my daughter, Sana.

The best thing about Kolkata is...

The food and the gentle people. But I’m quite fond of Delhi and its open spaces too.

The sportspersons you’ve always looked up to

.

Sachin, Brian Lara, Kapil Dev and Diego Maradona.

A sports-inspired movie you liked.

I really enjoyed watching

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

(2013).

The best thing about Kolkata Knight Riders’ owner, Shah Rukh Khan.

He’s brilliant in every aspect.

Words you live by.

Live and let live.

A piece of advice you wish someone had given you ten years ago.

Don’t think too much about the future. Think about the present.

Your strategy in a crisis.

To stay calm under pressure.

How do you destress?

My daughter Sana is my biggest stress-buster. Apart from her, it’s cricket.

The last line of your autobiography will read…

“Hope you enjoyed reading it.”

From HT Brunch, August 23
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