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Ganguly keen to set record straight

Sourav Ganguly's team has won just one title in his five years at the helm and the Asia Cup final could either confirm this or herald a new era.

Updated on: Jul 29, 2004, 20:11:00 IST
PTI | By , Colombo
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Call it jinx or term them chokers, the Indian team under Sourav Ganguly has won just one tournament in his five years at the helm.

HT Image
HT Image

The Sunday's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka could either confirm the notion or herald a new-beginning in what has otherwise been an impressive 'Ganguly Era'.

In 12 One-Day series in which more than two teams took part, India has been the second best team on nine occasions, twice it has shared the trophy and only once has it been the winners.

The one crowning moment was at Lord's in 2002 when India defied all odds to chase a target of 325 runs and claim the NatWest Trophy, even though Ganguly lost his shirt, literally, at the players' balcony at the mecca of cricket.

In the opening year of his reign in 2000, India lost to South Africa in Sharjah, came a cropper against New Zealand in the mini World Cup in Kenya and then were hammered out of sight by Sri Lanka, again in Sharjah in November.

India strutted its stuff in Zimbabwe in 2001 and won all it games before the West Indies surprised them in the finals with aggressive tactics.

Playing against Sri Lanka soon thereafter, India failed to come to terms with the hosts, or perhaps the absence of its star player Sachin Tendulkar, as it lay beaten in the finals.

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