?Skipper doesn?t have to be Mr Nice Guy?
Former players feel the more aggressive Ganguly, rather than the soft-spoken Dravid, is a better long-term choice
Some decisions are almost as tough as mashed-or-fries. Like the one facing Indian cricket now. Who do team-makers (since many have a hand in selection) pick as India's long-term captain? Rahul Dravid, the sterile, resolute run-factory who has been made temporary skipper for the tri-series in Sri Lanka? Or Sourav Ganguly, a passionate helmsman in Subhashbabu tradition but one constipated of runs?

Depersonalise the situation and we see that what Indian cricket needs to identify --- keeping in mind World Cup 2007 --- is its requirement from the captain.
Does it want a leader or a batting titan?
The second option seems the obvious answer, but some players think leadership --- and therefore Ganguly --- is the better bet.
"Rahul Dravid is a great player and a fantastic person," says former India bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu,
"But a captain does not always have to be a nice guy. He needs to be ruthless, especially when the team is India or Pakistan.
"A Mike Brearley wouldn't work in our cricket. Ganguly is assertive and backs his players. We need to back him too, because he still has a lot to offer. That said, he must regain his form."
Anshuman Gaekwad felt differently about Brearley, whom he still sees as relevant and exemplary, but he too voted for Ganguly.
"I would go for the leader," the former India opener said when asked for his choice.
"He does not have to be the best batsman in the side. England picked Brearley despite his moderate batting ability.
"I don't mean to say that Dravid won't make a good captain. But Ganguly is a proven success. Besides, he is hardly at retirement age."
Former India bowler and new Mumbai coach Karsan Ghavri plumped for Ganguly as well. "Leadership and game skill are different things in any sport," Ghavri said.
"I respect Dravid. But captaincy means more burden. And Ganguly, having done the job for so many years, is accustomed to it. As a batsman he was a failure most of last year, but he can find the runs again."
Only Venkatesh Prasad revealed an inclination towards Dravid -- his statemate and friend.
"Leading and performing are related skills," he said.
"A captain has to perform as well. So, with all credit to Sourav, he should be scoring. Moreover, Dravid's got leadership qualities too. It's just that he has not gotten enough opportunity to display them.
"This is a good time to hand him the armband, though he tends to be a typical, soft-spoken south Indian.
"Making Dravid captain has another advantage. Sourav will be left free to concentrate on batting."