Sport | Cricket

Relax, Boycott's advice for Ganguly in his last Test

He coined the title 'Prince of Calcutta,' though Geoffrey Boycott never minced words in the past if his favourite Sourav Ganguly was found wanting in batting.

  • By D.Datta, Special to Gulf News
  • Published: 23:33 November 5, 2008
  • Gulf News

Nagpur, India: He coined the title 'Prince of Calcutta,' though Geoffrey Boycott never minced words in the past if his favourite Sourav Ganguly was found wanting in batting.

A handwritten letter from the former England captain, faxed to Ganguly after the first innings of the Delhi Test, has really overwhelmed the Indian who will be playing his last Test match here from today.

"As you try for a century, don't put so much pressure on yourself," Boycott says in the above letter.

"Relax - you have nothing to prove to anyone as your record speaks for you. ENJOY," it says.

"Remember this - when the curtain comes down in Nagpur - it will be sad - but it's not the end of the world.

"You have enriched Indian cricket with your batting skill and leadership abilities.

"As a batsman, you were blessed with superb timing and placement. That is why you are the Prince of Calcutta'.

"But captaincy was your forte. The ability to lead and inspire other players is given to only a few. You moulded youngsters and experienced guys into a fighting unit and while you were captain, India feared nobody and were a match for all the teams in world cricket.

"Hold your head high - smile. "Indian cricket should be proud of you!," he signed off.

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