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Sourav Ganguly enters 10,000 run club
Despite a tiring day on the field, Sourav and Dravid spent close to two hours on a separate table at the team hotel, writes CS Luthra.
It could have been a perfect occasion for the Indian players to party with their colleague and former skipper Sourav Ganguly for becoming only the third batsman in the world to cross 10,000 runs. Instead, it turned out to be one of those days they would like to forget.
On a day when Sri Lankans Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Chandana didn't spare anyone, it marked a new beginning for the Indian team. Not many people can recall Sourav playing under another Indian captain and fighting for his place at the top of the order. But the rarest sight was watching him field at third man. That surely must have been some viewing for those in front of the TV back home.
From 95 for six to a match-winning total of 221 without any further loss must have forced India to sit and chalk out a different plan for the all-important game against Sri Lanka.
Despite a tiring day on the field, Sourav and skipper Rahul Dravid spent close to two hours on a separate table at the team hotel. They were seen engrossed in some serious discussion. And it was not without need.
A lot has been written about there being differences in the team and this was the best signal for all onlookers that "everything is fine". When asked to react on such rumours after the match, Sourav paid no attention. "My father called me up and told me about all this. I don't know where they got it from. But what can I do," said Sourav with a straight face.
But there was no hiding his delight at returning to the opening slot where he has scored close to 8,000 of his aggregate 10,000 runs. "I gave up that batting position for the team when I was leading. I thought Virender Sehwag was not that consistent in the middle-order. I may have missed out on a some of my own big scores but the team succeeded in that period," said Sourav.
"When you are India captain, you do certain things in team interest and I have no regrets about it," he added.
On a hypothetical question of sacrificing the opener's slot again, Sourav had no comment to make. "That's a decision for a captain to make, be it Rahul or me. After nine years of international cricket, I think there is still some fuel left in my tank."
But Sourav was definitely disappointed at having missed the opportunity to crack another ton. "It's very disappointing, especially when chasing 220 was not easy on this wicket. And yes, we still lost heavily. It was a good platform for me to continue and get a big score after a good start. It doesn't happen to too many teams in the world," added Sourav.
The Indian team returned to Colombo for their league match against West Indies at the Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Conditions here are going to be very different from Dambulla.
