IPL is not a light competition: Ganguly

NDTV Reports: With big names and huge money involved in it, the IPL cannot be a "light competition", former India captain Sourav Ganguly said on Thursday, dismissing suggestions that the much-hyped event would be a non-serious affair.

Ganguly, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders team which takes on Bangalore Royal Challengers in the inaugural game at M Chinnaswamy stadium, said it's going to be a serious competition, given "so many big names, so much money involved in it", and there being a "question of reputation (at stake for many players)".

"It cannot be a light competition", he said after the practice session.

Despite his T20 plunge, Ganguly held test cricket in highest esteem and said a player should be judged by his performance in five-day cricket.

"That's how (performance in test cricket) a player should be judged", Ganguly said.

Even in the case of fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who has burst into the international scene, Ganguly said he would judge the bowler from his performance in Test cricket over a decade.

Watched Ganguly's interview on NDTV last night. Its available in the US only on DirecTV...