Can Sourav Ganguly make a comeback into the Indian team? Should he? Will the selectors consider him purely on the basis of form and fitness, or will they look at the other dimensions of the delicate issue of team balance and morale that his inclusion is likely to affect?

Rahul Dravid and his men have been on a splendid roll ever since the recent change of guard, expected to be permanent this time, took place. The most encouraging development has been the reemergence of Sachin Tendulkar as a relaxed, free stroking batsman, playing as he did in the prime of his youth, in sharp contrast to the careworn approach we had noticed in him a couple of years ago. It is difficult to resist coming to the conclusion that he is happier in the present dispensation than he was in the Ganguly regimen. Whatever the reason for the return of the vintage model of Tendulkar, it is the best news Indian cricket has had for a long time.

'Katradhu Tamizh' Ram's next Diwali in Suburbs Rajini Still In A Dilemma! அஜீத் பேட்டி? ராம் இயக்கத்தில் சேரன்? கமல் பாராட்டிய டைட்டில்்

Yet another aspect of the Indian cricket team to the fore is the overall improvement in attitude and effort. Harbhajan Singh has been bowling brilliantly in this series, playing a crucial role in the bowling attack. Yuvraj Singh has been batting with greater responsibility and circumspection than before; his talent has never been in question, and it is good to see it in full bloom. Thanks to Irfan Pathan’s emergence as a genuine all-rounder, the Indian team management now has the luxury of greater flexibility than ever before, what with M S Dhoni rewriting the record books when promoted in the order, ostensibly as a pinch hitter. No crude hitter can play the kind of innings he played at Jaipur, making 183 at lightning speed.

The only serious candidate for replacement by an in-form Ganguly seems to be J P Yadav, whose utility value to the team too has been underlined every now and then by timely breakthroughs by the all-rounder. Sourav Ganguly is one of the great one-day batsmen in the world and a useful medium pacer, but his fielding is not of the same high standard, and his recent behaviour on and off the field has raised serious doubts over the kind of influence it will exert on the rest of the team. It does seem to be a long, arduous road for the Prince of Kolkata.

V Ramnarayan

Published on Nov 3^rd,  2005