Ganguly146;s Testing times

After the slam-bang of the Australia series, it doesn8217;t get more underwhelming than this. At Green Park tomorrow, the might of India ta...

After the slam-bang of the Australia series, it doesn8217;t get more underwhelming than this. At Green Park tomorrow, the might of India take on a South African team about whom little is known and who themselves know less about their host country.

It8217;s the time, then, for conspiracy theories and, as usual of late, most surround the Indian captain. Thanks to the ICC8217;s lifeline, Sourav Ganguly will walk out for the toss tomorrow but he will be aware of just how close he has come to seeing the door shut on him.

His deputy, Rahul Dravid, has stood in in five Tests with a better record that Ganguly8217;s last five. Dravid8217;s two wins are significant 8212; Pakistan away and Australia at home 8212; and, if nothing else, serve to offer the selectors an option and keep the incumbent on his toes.

Ganguly8217;s inclusion, and the apparent spin-friendly nature of the Green Park pitch, means some juggling with the team sheet, and while the playing XI will only be announced in the morning, a visit to the team hotel this evening proved instructional.

The Indians and South Africans were both there, participating in a polio eradication drive. Ganguly was missing, presumed with the selectors. There would have been three key questions to debate: Will Kartik be the third spinner? Whom among Zaheer, Pathan and Nehra 8212; one or two 8212; will play? And who will break the bad news to Kaif?

The first question was answered soon after Ganguly entered. Watching the slide show, Kartik8217;s expression changed, his face turned sullen and he soon left the function. Reason for another conspiracy theory: Why doesn8217;t Dada play Kartik?

Kaif, too, had got the message but took it with better humour. When the MC invites Kaif to honour Rahul Dravid, he calls the latter the Indian captain, prompting smiles all around and breaking the tension.

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Tomorrow, though, it8217;s back to the dead serious business of Test cricket. There are reputations to salvage, there is morale to be boosted ahead of the tour of cannon-fodder Bangaldesh. That can only be done by batsmen scoring runs, and Dravid, Laxman, Gambhir would all be interested, and bowlers taking wickets.

And captains winning matches. If Ganguly can pull this one off, and score a few runs along the way, he knows he can sit a little more securely in his chair. India8217;s captain has always loved a fight; this time he could be fighting for his captaincy.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More