Calcutta's goodwill gimmick

By John Cheeran
Calcutta has conceded defeat against Rahul Dravid.
Reasons are obvious. Truth has dawned on Calcuttans and its that yagnas can't revive Sourav Ganguly's career.
If one man can do that, it is Dravid.
Indian skipper's move to open the innings in Lahore has left rabid Ganguly supporters speechless. I must, however, point out that Telegraph Calcutta and its cricket correspondent on the same day preferred to ignore the boldest ever statement made by an Indian captain, since it exposed Ganguly.
It is not that Dravid just opened.
Skipper proved a point by scoring a century under pressure and in the company of his deputy Virender Sehwag taught rest of the team what is positive play is all about.
Telegraph can choose to ignore Dravid's statement, but not rest of India, and not rest of the cricketing world. Not even Calcutta!
An agency story says that Rahul Dravid was presented a Goodwill Bat by former Indian footballer Chuni Goswami on behalf of Kolkatans on the last day of the first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium. The former national football captain flew down to Lahore from Kolkata to handover the bat which bears signature of various people of Calcutta, including footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. The bat has also been signed by all members of the current Bengal Ranji squad.
Goswami, who led the country to its last gold medal in Asian Games at Jakarta in 1962, presented the bat on behalf of the Sports Management Group of Kolkata and "as a representation of the sentiments of people from different walks of life, including celebrities". Goswami said he has been deeply moved by Dravid's gesture to open the innings with Sehwag and allowing former India captain Sourav Ganguly to be included in the middle order."
"In my years of playing sports I have not come across a more selfless gesture,"said Goswami in Lahore.
The former player, who handed over the bat outside the dressing room, also gave his best wishes to the rest of the Indian team for the gruelling tour.
Pity you Calcutta.
If you think such gimmicks will work with Dravid, you are sadly mistaken.
There is no room, I repeat, there is no room for Ganguly in the middle order. Dravid should bat at No.3 and Ganguly should open up, if he wants to survive in international cricket.