Sourav Ganguly responds to Sachin Tendulkar's query about how they would've performed under new ICC regulations
Current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has responded to a question from fellow opener Sachin Tendulkar, about how the new ICC regulations would've affected their batting. Tendulkar had asked how the two of them would have performed with the current set of field restrictions and the use of two new balls, and the 'Prince of Kolkata' replied that the duo would've scored heaps more runs for India.
In a Twitter post, Sachin Tendulkar's shared an ICC tweet which talked about the achievements of the pair in one-day international cricket. In context of the tweet, the Mumbaikar asked Dada:
"This brings back wonderful memories Dadi. How many more do you think we would’ve been able to score with the restriction of 4 fielders outside the ring and 2 new balls?."
Sourav Ganguly wasn't modest at all in his reply to the Master Blaster. He reckoned that their partnership would've probably added 4000 more runs, with the use of two new balls making batting all the more easy.
Ganguly in a way mocked the current ICC rules and suggested that the pair would have enjoyed more success if these rules were enforced during their time. His retort was:
"Another 4000 or so ..2 new balls..wow .. sounds like a cover drive flying to the boundary in the first over of the game.. for the remaining 50 overs."
The Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly partnership
Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, with 6,609 runs in 136 innings, hold the record for the most runs in ODIs as an opening pair. This includes 21 century-plus stands and 23 fifty-run partnerships.
The duo opened together from 1996 till 2007 and broke multiple opening records. Widely considered one of the most destructive and fearsome opening pairs in the world, this right-left batting combination neutralized every tactic of the opposition team.
The attacking style of play from both ends forced the opposition captains to alter the fields regularly and constantly look for more variations in their bowling line-up.
