A Child of Destiny.
After a wretched 2005, followed by a see-saw approach by selectors when it comes to his inclusion, Saurav Ganguly's moment of reckoning has arrived. When he walks out to bat at Karachi this morning, with India 74-4 , it surely is judgement day for him. He started confidently yesterday, facing Shoaib Akhtar with tons of courage, but he knows the odds are against him. There will be several people wanting to see him fail, to say 'Ah I knew it', and cricketing obituaries would have been written already by journalists, but it would take a very brave man or very foolish, to say that this situation is beyond Saurav Ganguly.
Ever Since his debut in 1996, he has always proved his detractors wrong. Ravi Shastri belittled his selection for the England tour, blaming the quota system- Saurav stroked a sublime hundred at Lords. Some people said it would be the only hundred he would ever make- He made another one in the very next test match. India's prince was here to stay. When captaincy came to him by default when Tendulkar stepped down, he took up the challenge admirably, and holds the record for most test wins as an Indian captain and a place in the 2003 WC final. Losing the captaincy to Rahul Dravid after the Chappell controversy, Dada found himself outside the team. He made the runs in Ranji cricket, and earned his way back into the test squad. Although he was picked in the first test against Pakistan, he did not get to bat. Dropped in Faisalabad, he has been picked in the series decider at Karachi.
You can blame Saurav Ganguly for lack of runs in the past few seasons, but you can never blame him for a lack of attitude or commitment. Saurav's determination and courage will be tested to the core by Shoaib and company today but he knows that he is in charge of his own destiny. If he fails, it may not as yet be the end of him, but his immediate place in the team might be under threat. In all fairness, it would not be fair to judge him on the basis of one test match. But since when has fairness been a factor in the decision making policies of the five wise men?
Contrary to what many people may believe, Saurav Ganguly still has a huge following of supporters behind him. Not just in Kolkata! There will be many prayers uttered today- in Kolkata, in Karachi, in London, in Luxembourg- by his true fans who want him to succeed. Ganguly has to fight fire with fire. It is an ideal opportunity for him to prove all his detractors wrong.
Being a huge Saurav Ganguly fan, I would predict a Saurav Ganguly hundred today. A hundred that will revive his career and shape his destiny. The man from the city of joy can smile again.
Ever Since his debut in 1996, he has always proved his detractors wrong. Ravi Shastri belittled his selection for the England tour, blaming the quota system- Saurav stroked a sublime hundred at Lords. Some people said it would be the only hundred he would ever make- He made another one in the very next test match. India's prince was here to stay. When captaincy came to him by default when Tendulkar stepped down, he took up the challenge admirably, and holds the record for most test wins as an Indian captain and a place in the 2003 WC final. Losing the captaincy to Rahul Dravid after the Chappell controversy, Dada found himself outside the team. He made the runs in Ranji cricket, and earned his way back into the test squad. Although he was picked in the first test against Pakistan, he did not get to bat. Dropped in Faisalabad, he has been picked in the series decider at Karachi.
You can blame Saurav Ganguly for lack of runs in the past few seasons, but you can never blame him for a lack of attitude or commitment. Saurav's determination and courage will be tested to the core by Shoaib and company today but he knows that he is in charge of his own destiny. If he fails, it may not as yet be the end of him, but his immediate place in the team might be under threat. In all fairness, it would not be fair to judge him on the basis of one test match. But since when has fairness been a factor in the decision making policies of the five wise men?
Contrary to what many people may believe, Saurav Ganguly still has a huge following of supporters behind him. Not just in Kolkata! There will be many prayers uttered today- in Kolkata, in Karachi, in London, in Luxembourg- by his true fans who want him to succeed. Ganguly has to fight fire with fire. It is an ideal opportunity for him to prove all his detractors wrong.
Being a huge Saurav Ganguly fan, I would predict a Saurav Ganguly hundred today. A hundred that will revive his career and shape his destiny. The man from the city of joy can smile again.
posted by Karthik @ 1:23 AM
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