Ganguly plays down conflict

Former skipper denies meeting team to discuss issue

India’s build-up to the Champions Trophy has been muddled by the captain-coach controversy but former captain Sourav Ganguly felt such things are part of an Indian cricketer’s life and as professionals they should be able to put differences aside come game time.

“Just deal with it,” Ganguly, doing commentary duty for the Australia-New Zealand here at Edgbaston, said when asked about the rift between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble. “You're a name, you’re the captain of India, you're the coach of India, you'll have to deal with it. You just have to keep quiet and play the game.”

“Everybody faces controversy. You just have to deal with it and go on. You should not worry about it. Professionals find a way. Look at (Cristiano) Ronaldo. He’s mired in controversies every week but he comes and takes Real Madrid to Champions League final,” added Ganguly when asked if India will be distracted by this unsavoury episode.

‘Ego clashes common’

Ganguly felt ego clashes are quite common when two big personalities are involved. “Sometimes small things get blown out of proportion. When you have two friends sit in a media box and talk, you have a different opinion about a player, he has a different opinion. And that doesn't mean you don't get along. That’s life.”

Ganguly, a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee along with Sachin Tendulkar and V V S Laxman tasked with the job to select the next coach, said time was not right to talk about the coach’s role that will fall vacant at the end of the Champions Trophy. “You need to hear from the right people and not by what’s going around. You need to hear from them, what is it, what they want and then deal with it. It’s too early to (be talking about coaches). We are in the middle of the Champions Trophy.”

Ganguly also denied reports he met the Indian team to seek their opinions on Kumble. “I've been at the ground since 8 am. I'm supposed to have spoken to players, spoken to Virat. I've not done it one bit, and neither am I keen to.”

The former captain also tipped India as the favourites to beat arch-rivals Pakistan in Sunday's encounter. “India are a good side. Last 15 years they've had the better of Pakistan. New day, new game but still (India are favourites).

Emotions are the same. Australia playing New Zealand is probably a bigger game. It's the quality of the teams. Pressure is there but players get used to that pressure. They must find a way to succeed.”