Kolkata: With a match-winning score of 91 runs in 57 balls, two wickets for 25 runs and two crucial catches, Sourav Ganguly was on fire against the Deccan Chargers on Sunday evening. The result ­-- Kolkata Knight Riders won by 23 runs. The team had organized a celebration party late in the night, where Dada’s performance and the team’s victory was celebrated by cutting a cake and popping champagne.

91 of 57 balls, we got a glimpse of the old Sourav Ganguly? 

SG: (smiles)…I just decided to play my natural game and it’s not the first time that I have played like this…recently against South Africa in Ahmedabad, my half-century way fiery. And mind you that was against a much better opposition and under a lot of pressure. 

But it must be very satisfying to finally able to get back the rhythm?

SG: If I don’t score then also people will talk and if I score then also people will comment. Such things really don’t matter to me now. But, it was very satisfying to win this match. Now that we have won two back-to-back matches, our confidence is back. The boys are charged up but then again, in this format of the game, every match is a new challenge. We have to play really well against Delhi and continue to fire. 

You have bagged back-to-back man-of-the-match awards too?

SG: (smiles) Feels good. Actually, it is just David Hussey and myself, who shoulder most of the batting responsibility. And in the past couple of matches our batting was not clicking and we needed some good partnerships. At the same time there were challenges of scoring at a faster pace too. (smiles again) But all’s well that ends well.

You got two vital wickets and two crucial catches as well?

SG: Smiles…

What was King Khan’s message after the win?

SG: Win or no win, Shahrukh keeps messaging…right after the match he messaged saying, ‘ congratulations’.

Finally, at the press conference you said you were not dropped from the one-day team based on performance?

SG:  Well this is nothing new that I said. I have always said, that I have scored more than 3,000 runs since my comeback, so, if performance was the only criteria then I wouldn’t have got dropped.

Now you have Shoaib Akhtar in your side.

SG: Very excited about his presence. Shoaib Akhtar  is a big plus for any team.  If he plays well then any opposition will have tough time…  

(ArtsmithSports)