Ganguly to lead by example

India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Friday made it clear that he is not going to curb his natural instincts while leading the team in South Africa, and dismissed reports that he is under pressure to perform.

The elegant left-hander, who has been penalized by umpires quite a few times for violating the players' code of conduct, said he will continue to be "positive and lead by instinct".

"It's not that there's a set formula for a captain, but I won't compromise on being positive. Moreover, I don't see why I should give my instincts a back seat," he said.

Ganguly, who led his team to a remarkable 2-1 victory over the powerful Australians at home earlier this year, came under fire after India lost the series to Sri Lanka -- for the first time in 16 years -- under his captaincy.

"One keeps learning even when captain, and I'm definitely not the type who isn't open to ideas. Nor am I unwilling to adapt. In other words, if I've got to change, I will when the moment comes," Ganguly said, in an interview to The Telegraph.

In an obvious reference to former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Raj Singh Dungarpur, who had called for his dismissal as captain, Ganguly said: "People are entitled to their opinion, but the views of one gentleman can't ever force a crisis on the Indian captain."

"The selectors have given me a job and, as in the past, I'm going to give it my best shot. I haven't ever walked off the field burdened with the thought I didn't give off my best. It won't ever happen in the future either," he said.

Ganguly, who has been practicing strenuously for the upcoming series, said his recent lean patch with the bat was not due to any lack of effort from his side.

"The lack of runs was not because of a lack of effort. I've consistently been working hard and, even now, I've been training though I had the troublesome muscle strain three weeks ago," he said.

Ganguly went to the extent of flying down to Meerut to make some changes in the bat to be used by him on the forthcoming tour to regain his touch.

He felt a job as important as captain of the Indian team will always invite criticism.

"However, statistics aren't irrelevant; and if a captain with almost 60 per cent success rate in Tests isn't fit to be retained, then only somebody very exceptional will have to be hunted," he said.

"Though I did not get runs in our last engagement, I still think that the unbeaten 98 in Kandy (in the second Test against Sri Lanka) ended the lean phase," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor