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Sourav okay with not being Maharaj
Twelve of the 16 Indian players will get a new experience when they see Dravid dictate terms on the field in the presence of Ganguly, writes CS Luthra.
The Indian team is going through a transitional phase. Twelve of the 16 players in the Indian squad at the triangular series will get a new experience when they see Rahul Dravid dictate terms on the field in the presence of Sourav Ganguly.
A new coach, a new skipper and a new role — still to be determined — for the Bengal Tiger. Ganguly arrived here in the wee hours of Monday, looking drowsy due to lack of sleep, before coming to terms with his new role.
In the current lot, barring Dravid himself, only Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh have played under a captain other than Ganguly. Ganguly caught up with his skipper and coach Greg Chappell and discussed the situation. It was only in the afternoon that he met his teammates at the lunch table.
Ganguly, who once had control over the team, was now in a corner on one side of the table. Much of the attention was focussed on the Indian think-tank, — coach Chappell, Dravid, the team physio and trainer.
“I'm keen to play and perform again,” Ganguly said later. Asked if he was missing the spotlight he commanded as skipper, Ganguly said: “I had my share of attention since becoming captain of India in 2000. It doesn’t bother me. I'm just looking forward to playing my part.”
He made no secret of his desire to open. “I've made so many runs for India as an opener,” he said. “So that’s where I would like to play. It will depend on the team management. I don't mind if they ask me to bat lower down the order. It's Rahul's choice.”
However, he cautioned Dravid to be prepared for the tough times ahead. "Our team has a few new players and it would be a challenging task for the new captain to win this tournament,” Ganguly said. “If I am approached for suggestions, I'll certainly offer them.”
Dravid expressed happiness over the team's win over West Indies on Sunday. Although, he refused to divulge the batting order altered by Ganguly's arrival, he expressed concern over the lack of a fifth bowler in the team.
“Even though we had the West Indies under pressure, the fifth bowler still gave away a lot of runs,” Dravid said. “In the past, we had Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Sourav doing the job. It's just a question of ensuring that Sehwag and maybe Suresh Raina get enough bowling and get better. It might give us more options.”
As far as Ganguly is concerned, it's not going to be a new experience playing under Dravid. On April 17 this year, he played a benefit match under Dravid in Delhi. Ganguly was to have originally led the team on that occasion, but his flight had gotten delayed and Dravid had become captain by default.
Times have changed and so also the character of the team. All the players Ganguly stood for during his five-and-a-half year reign now have their own ambitions. All eyes are on Ganguly. His approach and form over the next eight days will be scrutinised by the team management and the media.
