Dodda Ganesh set to join JD(S)

After having put down his cricketing kit forever, Doddanarasiah Ganesh is all set to begin a new innings in his life. Enter politics by joining the JD(S). “Karnataka has given me everything in life – name, fame and status. Now, I would like to give back something to the state.” Whoever has played with him, has been struck by his humility and positive attitude. Through times good and bad, rough and smooth, these two traits have always shone through in him.

All through his active playing life, Dodda Ganesh has been for Karnataka, what his fellow senior Rahul Dravid been for the Indian team, the Wall. He has always worked very hard to keep his team in high spirits.
Ganesh worked very hard to keep the Karnataka’s team in high spirits. He supported the team in all situation, in other words he became a wall for his team.

In terms of statistics too, he has an impressive record - 300 first class wickets for Karnataka. In the year 1998, he was India’s highest wicket taker in the domestic circuit. He has also had some pleasant memories with the bat. He once literally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Karnataka, when it needed 21 runs off the last over and Dodda Ganesh was there to guide his team to victory.

Though selected for India, his performance at the international level did not match his potential. Perhaps he did not get enough chances. Perhaps it was luck, as he was thrown into the deep against some really tough teams. Perhaps he was blooded a little early, and the selectors should have had more patience with him.
But as he bids goodbye to the game that has given him all, Dodda Ganesh harbours no ill-will against anybody. In fact, he cherishes the time he has spent with his buddies, Anil Kumble (“he has been more than a brother to me”), Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad and Sunil Joshi.