It seems Motera brings out the worst in the Indian skipper. Ahmedabad still remembers how Saurav Ganguly in his last Test here against England chickened out of the chase on the final day reducing the game to a farce. As another final day fiasco unfolded, Ganguly once again featured in a passive role. The initial euphoria on Ganguly’s face after the fall of three quick wickets in the first session gradually faded as tables turned. From a gloomy and frustrated look between lunch and tea, Ganguly was a forlorn figure by the time mandatory overs started. During the long stand between Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle, the Indian team seemed like a demotivated squad led by a detached captain. The skipper who indulged in friendly banter with rival bowlers during his century knock yesterday and even mocked with the umpire after being warned for ‘running on the pitch’ was a changed man today. The humour disappeared and Captain Cool seemed more like Captain Grumpy. When things are going his way, Ganguly’s aggression and excitement has an overwhelmingly presence. But when the going gets tough, the skipper withdraws in a shell. Ganguly informed later that the ‘dead’ pitch proved to be big obstacle on their way to victory despite the lion-hearted effort of his bowlers. But that doesn’t justify the frustration and his near ‘switch off’ from the game. With his spinners running out of ideas, Ganguly didn’t run to them with instructions or even put his hands over their shoulders. He seemed more like a ‘fair weather friend’ who distances himself in the hour of crisis. The skipper’s mood seemed to have rubbed on the team, especially in the final session as the Indian shoulders dropped and the Kiwis managed to survive. Since taking on the captain’s job, Ganguly was being seen as a binding force to a young and talented side. A motivator who out-fought the Aussies with his counter-aggression and someone who wasn’t cowed down in adversity. But strangely, Motera has seen none of it.
