Former skipper Saurav Ganguly has given India an unexpected World Cup boost
after a comeback even his most ardent fans would have thought impossible.
Ganguly, 34, has been in sublime batting form, oozing with confidence and looking
fitter than ever before after his internationalcareer seemed over 10 months
ago.
India`s most successful test captain was sacked as skipper
and as a one-day player in October 2005 and axed from tests four months later
amid a batting slump and a row with coach Greg Chappell that continuously
made frontpage news.
With Chappell infusing fresh blood and shuffling batsmen to
add flexibility, his hopes appeared to be fading fast.
However, the left-handed batsman with the glorious off-side shots refused to
give up, returning to domestic games amid endless debate in cricket-mad India
over his ousting.
Ganguly, one of only six batsmen to score 10,000 one-day runs
with a record 16 opening century partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar,
was ready when a batting crisis rose in the team.
Recalled for the South Africa test series in November
after youngsters such as Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina flopped
in a preceding one day series, he displayed unusual grit.
Ganguly took body blows during the 2-1 series defeat, but for the first time
tackled short-pitched bowling well to top the aggregate among Indian players
in the South Africa tests.
A tighter stance and shorter backlift also helped him hit 98
not out on his one-day comeback at home against West Indies as he made 347 runs
with four fifties in his last six one-day knocks.
That fine run also earned him the man-of-the-series award following
a 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka last week.
The player dubbed "Prince of Kolkata" was first dumped
after one one-day game on debut as a teenager in Australia in 1991-2 and criticised
for his poor attitude. Recalled for the 1996 England tour, he silenced
critics with hundreds in his first two tests.
His return a second time and role as opener could be crucial
with Virender Sehwag and all-rounder Irfan Pathan struggling.
Former coach Anshuman Gaekwad praised Ganguly`s grit.
"His comeback is tremendous," he told Reuters. "After such a
big gap to come back the way he has with so much pressure and controversy requires
great ability."
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