'Seen a few as a player and now a host' - Sourav Ganguly shares nostalgic post ahead of T20 World Cup final

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly posted a few pictures on his social media handles ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021 final. While the tournament had to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates and Oman owing to the Covid-19 situation in India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) kept the hosting rights with the BCCI.

Board’s president Ganguly, therefore, is the in-charge of the conduction of the tournament. Ahead of the final clash between Australia and New Zealand, he recalled what kind of an emotional rollercoaster ride do the players go through before such big matches. Ganguly shared his pictures from Dubai along with one from his time of leading Team India into the 2003 World Cup final against Ricky Ponting-led Australia at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

“The night before a world cup final…seen a few as a player and now a host #Icc…..#bcciofficial,” Ganguly captioned his post on Instagram hours before the T20 WC 2021 final ‘Trans-Tasman’ battles between Australia and New Zealand.

India lost the 2003 event to Australia, although Ganguly has come a long way since then, having taken up various administrative roles including the presidency of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and currently the BCCI. India have played multiple ICC events under Ganguly’s tenure, but this is the first time he is taking part as the host board’s chief as no major multi-team tournament has been organized in India ever since his appointment.

 

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There is little to choose between the two finalists: VVS Laxman

One of Ganguly’s long-term ally, VVS Laxman recently opened up on both the teams participating in the titular battle. “There is little to choose between the two finalists, with Australia having the slight edge following the freak injury to Devon Conway. But as history will testify, New Zealand is a side that can be taken lightly at one’s own peril,” Laxman wrote in his column for The Times of India on Saturday.

“There was a touch of similarity to the way the two last-four clashes played out. First Kane Williamson and then Aaron Finch hit it lucky with the coin. Those were significant off-field developments, for this tournament has favoured teams chasing,” he added.