This was an occasion almost as important as Greg Chappell’s first day as India coach. Sourav Ganguly rejoined the Indian team, which he’d left as captain three months ago, as an ordinary member — and seemed to have come to terms with the downgrade. That was evident at lunch, a half-hour function with enough unspoken tensions, undercurrents and symbolism to fuel an entire Satyajit Ray film. When Ganguly walked in, only his coach was present and they spoke for a few minutes. Chappell then went to the table and sat down at one end, where he was joined by his new captain, trainer Greg King and senior player Anil Kumble. Ganguly, who’d been reading a paper, made his way to the 16-seater table — but to the other end, which was empty. He could have sat near the brains trust but it was almost as if, unsure of just how to act, he’d chosen to demonstrate he knew where his place was. The space between was only half-a-dozen seats but it might as well have been the breadth of Eden Gardens. Eventually the other players trooped in and, one by one, they all went up to Ganguly and welcomed him back. The affection seemed genuine, though not the uninhibited displays that TV footage keeps showing us. But they left as soon as they had come, leaving Ganguly to resume his lunch on his own. When he finished, he walked out alone but there was none of the weariness or misery he is so good at conveying. The man who’s been through cricket hell and back in the past few months looked confident and calm and had a spring in his step, a crease-free forehead. He didn’t speak to the media until he’d spoken to his captain and coach. And when he did, he didn’t say much. ‘‘I spoke to Rahul (Dravid) and informed him that I’m here,’’ he said soon after he finished lunch. Then said he was looking forward to playing under a new coach and captain. ‘‘I have been selected to perform and have been playing well recently. So it’s good to be back.’’ The next scene in this gripping silent drama, at the evening nets at the Rangiri Stadium, was a total contrast. Now, Ganguly was one of the boys; he’d found his slot and fitted in perfectly. He batted and bowled for some time at the nets and shared a few jokes with the players around him. Every ball he bowled and shot he hit was under the watchful eye of his coach, who knew that the team, given its current batting form, needed the elegant left-hander as much as he needed a return. Ganguly was focused on getting his game back in order, aware that that was the minimum required to wrest back the captaincy. VVS IS BACK, TOO It’s not just Sourav Ganguly whom Team India will welcome back on Wednesday. The batting is likely to be further bolstered by the presence of the stylish VVS Laxman. The Hyderabad batsman had opted out of the first two matches following a stiff back but is now certain to be a part of the playing eleven. ‘‘I feel perfectly alright now. It was only a precautionary measure I took to avoid anything major. I will play on Wednesday,’’ Laxman confirmed after a short stint at the nets on Monday evening. What he’s still unsure of is where he will play. ‘‘Can’t say’’ is his answer, a fair enough proposition given the shuffling that coach Greg Chappell has already performed. ‘‘It will depend on the composition. Now that Sourav is back, things will be further planned keeping all of this in mind,’’ he said.
