Don't get carried away by victory rallies, says Azhar

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Friday, February 21, 2003, 0:07 [IST]

Kolkata: Former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin has advised Saurav Ganguly and his teammates not to get carried away by victory processions taken out by the people following the side's emphatic 83-run win over Zimbabwe in the World Cup on Wednesday.

"Just as one need not be upset by forms of protests like funeral processions, similarly one should not get carried away by victory rallies," the former stylish right-hander said. While congratulating the team for having successfully emerged out of the tremendous pressure situation it was in, Azharuddin, however, cautioned that there was no room for complacency as the side has still to take on two tough sides England and Pakistan in the group league. Azhar, who led India in three World Cups in 1991, 1996 and 1999, urged the team to retain the positive attitude it displayed against Zimbabwe in the coming matches. "If they can retain this attitude, a slot in the last six will be assured," he said in a column in the Bengali daily 'Ananda Baazar Patrika' on Thursday. Praising Indian bowlers for the win at Harare, Azharuddin mentioned the superb opening spells of speedsters Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan. "But to me, the best bowler of the day was Ashish Nehra. He may not have got any wicket, but his spell as the first change bowler put Zimbabwe on the defensive," he said. On Saurav Ganguly, who picked up three wickets in the match, Azhar said the bowling success would restore the Indian skipper's self-confidence. "The wicket at Harare - where the ball seamed a great deal - was ideal for the Indian skipper's bowling style. The Zimbabwe batsmen thought they could have a go at him to lessen the pressure on them and in the process lost wickets." Extras:
Maintain low profile, Azhar's advice to battered Saurav