Two princes pose one problem

Yuvraj Singh followed up his first-innings duck with a blazing unbeaten 77 today. Sourav Ganguly finished the game with scores of 40 and 39....

Yuvraj Singh followed up his first-innings duck with a blazing unbeaten 77 today. Sourav Ganguly finished the game with scores of 40 and 39.

These stats will be irrelevant when the national selectors sit tomorrow to select the 14 for the final Test 8212; they will probably retain this squad 8212; but they will be weighed against each other when the playing XI is picked in Ahmedabad.

The matter was put into perspective by none other than Yuvraj himself. Indeed, he batted with such authority that had Rahul Dravid not declared he seemed likely to score his second Test ton _ but his concern was different.

8220;I8217;ve done enough to give the national selectors and the team management a headache after this knock,8221; he said after the day8217;s play.

He wasn8217;t being cocky, just stating the truth. Weighing the performances of Yuvraj and Ganguly is like comparing apples and oranges with the certainty that, come Ahmedabad, one of them will be handed a lemon.

On the face of it Yuvraj appears to have the edge; his 77 was certainly a prettier innings than either of Ganguly8217;s, and fresher in the mind.

Yet in terms of the match context both of Ganguly8217;s knocks have been vital. His 40 in the first innings is significant given India8217;s 60-run lead, and his 121-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar was the last significant stand in that innings.

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His dismissal triggered a collapse that saw seven wickets falling for 36 runs. So those 40 certainly look good in perspective.

And Ganguly8217;s vigil in the first hour today, as he adhered to the management8217;s diktat of not losing his wicket, was equally crucial to the later tempo.

On the other hand, Yuvraj too saw out the opening hour and then went beyond. His stroke-filled 77 put India well on the way to setting the mammoth in the context of this match target of 436. However, with runs on the board no longer an issue, the significance of his unbeaten innings pales a bit.

At another level, the issue goes beyond figures and the match context. The team management must choose between a young batsman trying to cement his place in the Test side after an award-winning performance in the one-day series against South Africa, and a senior who offers a wealth of experience 8212; and no longer appears to be resting on his laurels.

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As the light faded and the crowds dispersed, one saw Mohammad Kaif going through his usual batting stint with Ian Frazer. He will probably be doing the same at Ahmedabad; the question is, who will keep him company? One of the two princes, most likely. Or, in a simple twist of fate, Gautam Gambhir.

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