Sourav146;s script falls 15 short of perfection

All the shades of his batting had made symbolic appearances on Friday. He8217;d driven through the off side, he8217;d danced down the track, he had pulled awkwardly to mid-wicket and, perhaps to ensure the circle was complete, he had taken a blow to his body from a delivery that was pitched short.

This may be the last time Ganguly had held a bat in his hands in international cricket, or at least the last time he had the opportunity to play a wholesome Test innings. And like in almost everything associated with his roller-coaster career, the joy of his accomplishment on Friday was mixed with a hint of heartburn as he finished just 15 short of what would8217;ve been a remarkable, emotional century.

Not too many people get a chance to end their career on a high. Ganguly had always wanted to, wasn8217;t ever expected to, but as this fourth and final Test in Nagpur became two-days old, it became clear that the former skipper will end up realising his dream.

Ganguly8217;s performance over the course of this series has shown that there was perhaps some cricket still left in him, and it was never more clear than here, where he matched Mahendra Singh Dhoni shot for shot, outscoring the new face of Indian cricket in a long partnership that was marked by easy camaraderie and swift running.

The 36-year-old was darting between the wickets, never missing the chance to scamper across for a quick single, converting twos into threes on more than a couple of occasions. There were moments he struggled to master Australian off-spinner Jason Krejza, never looking out of sorts against him, but having to work hard on whether he should go forward or backwards, with bat first or pad first.

Finally, after the half-century had been achieved, after the 60s and 70s had come and gone breezily, he steered a delivery to Michael Clarke at slip. The knock had ended. One of Indian cricket8217;s most colourful chapters will come to a close on Monday.