He Is Back

Probably a defining moment in the history of Indian cricket when (rather than if) Sourav Ganguly plays under Rahul Dravid tomorrow. This will be the first time that he will be playing under his best mate and vice-captain for 5 years. As things stand, it is uncertain whether the roles will be switched at the end of the series. My gut feeling is that they won't. However, Sourav has apparently not yet decided to give up the throne voluntarily as he says here:

"Actually, I don't mind it [lack of attention]. I had a lot of attention for five years. If for the next three or four games, or whatever happens in this series, I am not too worried. Whatever will happen, will happen."

Personally I think Ganguly should attempt to give Rahul Dravid all the support that Dravid gave him when he himself was in charge. And I don't just mean in the form of expert advice but also in terms of sheer weight of runs. And Dravid should make Ganguly feel very much at home.

When the 2 made their debut on that rainy summer morning at Lord's 9 years ago, it was the beginning of an indelible chapter in the annals of Indian cricket. For years after that when one thought of Sourav Ganguly he could not but think of Rahul Dravid in the same breath. In recent years that might have changed - first because they took slightly different paths to greatness. Dravid became the World's leading batsman leaving Ganguly far behind in that respect while Ganguly went on to be the most influential (and successful) Indian captain ever - both monumental achievements and in harmony with each other. However, disturbingly in the last season and never more prominently than in the last Pakistan series there were whispers of a growing rift between the two.

It would be sad if that rift was allowed to grow. This is the time for the 2 stalwarts of Indian cricket to shake hands, have a nice chat about the old times, accept the switched roles and move on for the good of the team. It would be a fitting finale if Ganguly scored the winning runs and took the Man Of The Series Award in the World Cup Final in Barbados 2 years hence under the leadership of Dravid.