Running backwards made simple

By John Cheeran
Sourav Ganguly has broken his vow of silence.
But that comes only after Ranbir Singh Mahendra looked into the future for him. It is bright, Mahendra has assured him.
May be, Mahendra can peep into the future better than Bejan Daruwala, especially at a time when the Indian cricket board elections are coming closer.
The time these two great men in Indian cricket have chosen to speak their mind is crucial. Both of them spoke after Indian top order’s meltdown in Hyderabad and India lost the opener in the one-day series to South Africa.
Mahendra with his perspicacity as an observer has hit on the nail.
Ganguly’s is out just because selectors do not want to disturb the winning combination now. In Mahendra’s opinion, Ganguly is fit and in form.
I have great pleasure to quote Mahendra on Ganguly. ‘‘He is a great player, he has also been a great captain. We are proud of him and he will definitely make a comeback to the team.“I don't think anybody believes that Sourav does not deserve to be in the team. His performances in Zimbabwe and in Duleep Trophy have been good. I think he'll make a comeback.”
Really?
Does he know how Zaheer Khan exposed Ganguly, the batsman, in the Duleep Trophy final last week?
Is that an indication of Ganguly’s form? If he can’t handle Zaheer, can he handle Shaun Pollock?
Much has been made by Maharaj’s PR network of the century Ganguly hit in Bulawayo Test. Against a dispirited and depleted Zimbabwean bowling attack Ganguly had to labour six hours for his unforgettable ton.
And the series gone before that? Ganguly contributed just 48 in three home Tests against Pakistan. Is that the yardstick for greatness for Mahendra?
Then what about attitude?
Let me quote coach Greg Chappell on the subject. In his interview to cricinfo.com he said: “As a coach, one thing that I do know is that you can’t teach anything to anyone who doesn’t want to be taught. These young guys…They want to know more and are trying to fund out what they can do to be better. That’s the attitude that makes coach’s life much easier.”
Apparently, Mahendra has developed amnesia about the tumultuous weeks preceding the one-day series against Sri Lanka.
One should spot the note of desperation in both Mahendra’s and Ganguly’s statements. So far Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell has kept the winning combination intact. At the first hint of trouble Ganguly Gang are swift to redraw the selection equations.
And look the humble cloak the Lord Snooty is wearing now. “I’m willing to play at any position, am prepared to perform any role that team wants me to.”
Circumstances have forced Ganguly to pretend that has not lost anything. “Rahul is doing a great job as captain.”
Is he telling Kiran More that he will not have any problems in playing under Dravid?
Keep this in your calculations. Which way the BCCI elections go on November 29 will have implications on Ganguly’s future. If Dalmiya camp wins, Ganguly will sneak into Team India. If not, former Indian captain will have to let his bat do the talking.