The wheel has turned an almost perfect circle for Sourav Ganguly. Four years ago, he made his debut as India’s Test captain at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here. It was the end of an era of doubt, darkness and dither; it was the beginning of a period of achievement. Ganguly will lead his team out tomorrow as India’s most successful Test captain of all time but he will also be aware — as will his teammates and just about every Indian cricket-watcher — that India, for all their achievements, are in danger of slipping back into doubt. Two Test wins out of six at home this season is slight returns for the talent in his side. This series may well be the perfect opportunity for Team India to finally set the season alight. But that’s what was said on the eve of the Kanpur Test against South Africa and it wasn’t really before the morning of the fifth day in Kolkata a match in which they got their balance right — that India were certain of winning the series. There is also the fact that stakes are considerably higher here; Bangladesh may still be seeking their first Test after a 29-3 lose-draw record but, as Ganguly pointed out, this is a Test series and deserves due respect. The Indian captain also recalled today the pattern of that first Test four years ago, when the hosts threatened to spoil his party. ‘‘We were in some trouble then. For the first three days Bangladesh were on top,’’ he said with a smile. What does he feel about their current threat potential? ‘‘You have to be patient with them. They have gone forward as a side since 2000. So give them some time, things are happening,’’ he said. It’s a statement he might have made as much for his own team as for the opposition. But time is slowly running out on a side that has conquered many frontiers. Even a simple win here may not be enough; India must win big just to prove to themselves that they are still masters at their trade. The onus will be on the much-vaunted batting line-up, which has flattered to deceive all this season. With the exception of the ever-surprising Sehwag, the batsmen’s indifferent form has been the reason for India’s lacklustre season. But there is some good news waiting for them, especially Tendulkar and Laxman. Natural strokeplayers that they are, the pitch here will provide some relief. It sports a tinge of green but it’s not clear how much life it has. Ganguly called it a ‘‘typical Dhaka wicket’’, while Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar felt it would have carry and bounce for both batsmen and bowlers. That will please Laxman, who remained a little aloof at the nets today. In the news recently for reacting to his omission from the one-day side, the Hyderabadi touch artiste appeared in reflective mood as he surveyed the misty morning sky. Also pensive were the two men on the threshold of setting records. For many cricket fans, this whole series is all about Tendulkar equalling, if not overtaking, Sunil Gavaskar’s 34 Test centuries, and bout Anil Kumble’s 435th wicket. Their skipper, however, sought to downplay the issue. ‘‘Obviously you have two guys close to breaking a record. But you cannot go into a Test match thinking about all these things. It will happen,’’ said Ganguly. But if all the Indian attention is on the peripheral statistics, Bangaldesh have a few words of caution. ‘‘India are the better side,’’ coach Dav Whatmore said today. Then added, after a pause, ‘‘But they are not unbeatable.’’ DHAKA DOSSIER
