Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 10 (IANS) Having missed out on the big-ticket World Cup matches, Eden Gardens is now hosting its home team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but the abscence from the squad of local lad Sourav Ganguly is a sore point.

Ganguly not only captained the Knights in the first and third editions of the IPL, but his presence had also helped in ensuring the support of the local fans for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise.

A day before the Knights clash with the Deccan Chargers, a section of cricket lovers staged a protest outside the Eden Gardens Sunday against the non-inclusion of the former Indian captain in the team.

Holding aloft placards and banners with pictures of Ganguly, the sports buffs demanded that the “Prince of Kolkata” be called back to the side and made the captain.

Questions on Ganguly’s absence were also posed to Knight Riders’ coach Dav Whatmore at the pre-match media meet.

Whatmore denied that the team would be under extra pressure without Ganguly. “We are more than happy with the set of players we have.”

He also praised the Knight’s new captain Gautam Gambhir, even as there was a strong feeling among the Kolkatans that Ganguly deserved to be in the team.

The denizens of the metropolis have also been unable to stomach the fact that Ganguly found no takers in the IPL auction held in January in Bangalore.

“He deserved to get a team. He had done so well last year,” said T.P. Dutta, a banker.

“Injustice has been done to Sourav.”

But Whatmore said the entire team was enjoying playing under Gambhir’s captaincy.

“Gambhir leads by example. He has been a wonderful contributor for the Indian team. And everybody is enjoying playing under his leadership,” said the Australian.

Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara said it was “unfortunate” that Ganguly was not part of the IPL any more.

“Everyone has got new teams, new boys. Unfortunately he is not there this season,” Sangakakra responded when asked about Ganguly’s absence.

With Ganguly no more a part of the KKR, it would be interesting to see how much support the franchise gets from the local cricket aficionados as the tournament progresses.