Thank you, Muralitharan

By John Cheeran
Here is a big thank you for Muttiah Muralitharan.
For he has achieved what Greg Chappell, Rahul Dravid or National Selectors failed to do.
India, and Team India, will be grateful to the Sri Lankan spin master, for removing Sourav Ganguly from the middle of action at the Feroze Shah Kotla on Tuesday.
From the Indian point of view, the most important wicket went to Murali.
Sri Lankan captain Marvan Attapattu must be regretting that they dislodged the stay at the wicket but non-performing Ganguly.
India’s plans of finding quick runs had received a major setback when Ganguly plodded to revive his Test career. Ganguly, in both first and second innings, did not have any intentions of playing for the team cause. Not only did Ganguly waste opportunities to score, he let the rival bowlers dominate the action and enjoy the psychological upper hand.
And what a difference Ganguly’s departure made.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni executed skipper Dravid’s plan of a quick-fire innings to perfection. MSD’s bold ways in front of the wicket was a treat to the sore eyes that had to endure Ganguly at the middle.
MSD took his chances to live up to the occasion. His first Test half-century (51) came off 51 balls.
Dravid could not have asked for more.