INDIAN agitator Sourav Ganguly says Australia are wasting their time having Greg Chappell address the team before the Boxing Day Test, and has even taken aim at former teammate Rahul Dravid and the handling of injured spearhead Ishant Sharma.Ganguly remains a polarising figure in world cricket and has never been afraid to speak his mind and rile opponents, particularly when it comes to Australian captains.The former skipper, who will arrive shortly to commentate on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, has reopened old wounds with Chappell, his former personal and team coach, days before the Australian batting legend helps Michael Clarke's team in its bid to tame the tourists' ageing, but potent, batsmen.Advertisement: Story continues belowOutspoken ... Ganguly.Outspoken ... Ganguly. Photo: Getty ImagesChappell, who has intricate knowledge of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid and V. V. S. Laxman, having coached India between 2005-07, has been asked by Australian coach Mickey Arthur to address the team in Melbourne.
However, Ganguly suggested Chappell's impact would be minimal. ''If you look back at the 2008 series, which happened to be my last, Chappell was present in the Australian team's support staff,'' Ganguly said.
''Yet we won the series 2-0. Therefore, I don't think his presence would make any difference this time also.''
Chappell spent the early part of that tour as a consultant with the Australian side, providing on and off-field direction that was well received by the players. He did not wish to comment when contacted yesterday.
Chappell has detailed some of his insights of the Indian batsmen in his new autobiography, Fierce Focus. It includes claiming Tendulkar was ''surprisingly fragile'' in 2006 when he struggled for runs.
Ganguly has never forgiven Chappell for promoting his removal as captain. They endured a tumultuous relationship as player and coach, having been good friends in earlier years when Chappell was something of a personal coach for the left-hander in 2002-03.
Ganguly also dragged the venerable Dravid into his latest outburst, a move that will annoy the Indian team's management.
''He [Chappell] came on board with some personal vendetta and also lacked foresight. He didn't want a settled dressing room,'' Ganguly said on Indian television.
''He made mistake after mistake, but the then captain Rahul Dravid never had the guts to stop Chappell from his wrongdoing.''
As the tourists deal with a serious ankle injury to Sharma, Ganguly has questioned why uncapped Bengal paceman Ashok Dinda was not included in the original touring party to Australia.
Dinda is tipped to be drafted into the squad as cover for Sharma, who remains in doubt for the Boxing Day Test and could yet return home.
''Dinda is India's best pace bowler right now and should have been on that plane to Australia in the first place with rest of the squad,'' Ganguly said.
The rangy Sharma managed just 5.3 overs against a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI on Thursday before abruptly leaving the field. He was advised to rest until today.
Ganguly said Sharma, who has dismissed Ricky Ponting six times in eight Tests, should not play in Melbourne unless he is fully fit.
''This is a very long tour. If Ishant has pain in his ankle, then he should be rested for the first Test,'' he said.
''The final test of the series will be very crucial. You cannot play a bowler having even 50 per cent of fitness level.
''It will put immense pressure on the team like we saw in England where Zaheer [Khan] broke down in the first Test at Lord's, and India never recovered.
''The Indian team management, be it skipper or the selector, have to take a decision immediately.
''If Ishant isn't fully fit, and has little chance of recovering, then he should be sent back home.''
Article Source: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/no-point-to-chappells-team-talk--ganguly-20111219-1p2l3.html
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