Can the Maharaja become a praja?

By John Cheeran
Can the Maharaja become a praja?
Sourav Ganguly has scored a point against his detractors in the Duleep Trophy tie against North Zone. The deposed Indian skipper hit a century to signal that he is in form as a batsman. And to buttress his claims for his place in the Indian squad, he led East Zone to a convincing win.
Certainly Ganguly is not down and out. Getting runs in domestic cricket and succeeding in international cricket are two different activities. Ganguly knows it. He has a quite a record in international cricket. The point is whether Ganguly still will be able to bat with authority against quality bowling in global realm.
His hit and miss tactics might come off, depending on the stage of the game and authenticity of attack. Selectors will be only doing their duty if they bring back Ganguly into one-day team. But is Ganguly prepared to take orders from Rahul Dravid?
Will he be expecting to pick and choose his slot in the Indian batting order? Is the Maharaja ready to be a praja in the empire of Indian cricket?
By keeping Ganguly in the side, selectors will be undermining Dravid, the skipper.
Ganguly has been lucky as captain of India. And his luck was in the form of Rahul Dravid and not Jagmohan Dalmiya.
Any other successful cricketer, apart from Dravid, would have told Ganguly to fuck off from the dressing room, a long time ago. Dravid has kept his place in the side because he gave his 100 per cent everytime. Attempts were made to deny Dravid his rightful place in the one-day squad, finding fault with his mode of run gathering, when others were scratching around the crease.
I recently heard a joke. Ganguly helped Dravid find a stable one-day slot making him the wicketkeeper. Anyone, other than David, would have refused to keep wickets when he is in the team as a specialist batsman. None has accommodated an Indian captain’s wishes as Dravid has done. The fault for this squarely remains with Dravid. What would have Ganguly done, had Dravid refused to keep wickets? Axed him?
To tell people to fuck off when they need to be, is a great attribute. I wish Dravid quickly develop this quality. When you are among a bunch of knee-jerked, rapacious youngsters, there is no point in being a gentleman.
Rahul Dravid, be a gentleman only at home. Be ruthless and truth less when you are in the Indian cricket team. More so, when you are the leader.