Kolkata: Former captain Sourav Ganguly today said Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami who leaped to prominence with a nine-wicket haul in his debut Test, was the biggest find of Indian cricket in 2013.
Heaping praise on Shami who had a memorable debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens early November, Gangle aptuly said: "He's a cricketer if he remains fit it will take a long way forward. Mohammad Shami is undoubtedly the biggest find of Indian cricket this year."
Virat Kohli too had a fruitful year after becoming joint fastest to rich 5,000 ODI runs club with Sir Viv Richards.
"You may say Kohli, but he has established himself from before."
Ganguly further hoped that he would complete his autobiography by the next cricket World Cup in 2015.
"I've thought about it. But it will take longer than 2014. Hopefully before the next World Cup, you all will see my autobiography," Ganguly told a Bengali news channel.
Ganguly said Team India had a mixed year beginning with the 4-0 rout of Aussies, while ending the year on a disappointing note going down to South Africa in both ODI and Test series.
"It was good as well as bad. We started well beating Australia 4-0, won Champions Trophy first time not as joint winners. But India ended with losing both Test and ODI series in South Africa," he said.
Ganguly further said the Test cricket will miss the iconic duos of Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis.
"It was an end of Sachin era. Not only Sachin, but Jacques Kallis as well. A big loss for Test cricket. Both contributed well to the Test cricket for their respective teams. Graeme Swann too retired for England; he had contributed immensely for the rise of English cricket."
I would like to return to cricket in any role: Sourav
I would like to return to cricket in any role: Sourav
Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly today said he was looking forward to a 'new role' in 2014, but declined to comment on speculation about a new innings in politics.
The former India captain, who has been made an offer by the BJP to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, said that politics was a sensitive topic.
"I don't want to talk about politics on TV. I want to explore a new role ... But it depends on getting selected. It also depends on others," Ganguly said.
"I don't believe in magic. My life is very simple, associated with sports and routine work. It won't be any different next year," he said.
Asked whether he would like to get into cricket administration through the Cricket Association of Bengal, Ganguly said: "That also will depend on others..."
"July is a long way to go," he said referring to CAB's annual general meeting and elections in July end.
"I would like to return to cricket in any role. It would be quite satisfying. You will have to wait and see.
"There's nothing more to remember beyond cricket. It has stopped becoming eventful since the day I stopped playing cricket. I just moved on with life."
Giving the example of Indian tennis ace Leander Paes, Ganguly rued about his retirement and said he had played a sport where the future was determined by selectors.
"Unlike Leander, in cricket your career depends on somebody else's whims and fancies."
Ganguly, however, said a firm no to films.
"Definitely no to films, I'm not sure about how competent I am ... I never thought about films."
Asked about his new year resolution, he said, "It depends how much I am associated with the sport. Sports gives me the biggest satisfaction in life."
"Now, Michael Schumacher's, unfortunate incident is making it more painful. It was not very enjoyable in the field of sports..."
Ganguly said he would not like to party on the New Year's eve.
"I don't like parties. I am completely non-alcoholic, I don't smoke. I've seen enough of fireworks."
Ganguly further wished luck for his daughter Sana and all the Bengal's youngsters.
"Hope it turns out good for Sana, and for all the youngsters of Bengal because they would shape the future of our state."
