Why does Tendulkar love Ganguly?

By John Cheeran
Why does Sachin Tendulkar love Sourav Ganguly?
Is it a friendship of convenience?
I think, it is.
A struggling Ganguly as captain suited perfectly for Tendulkar to remain as the No.1 in Indian cricket. With Rahul Dravid asserting himself as a captain and as a batsman, Tendulkar needs protection in the Team India. Tendulkar got a fine dose of Dravid's no-nonsense attitude to cricket during India's historic visit to Pakistan in 2003.
Leading the side in the absence of Ganguly, Dravid declared India's innings in Multan when Tendulkar was only a few runs away from a double century. Dravid's move was hailed as the declaration of India's independence from the individual milestones by the discerning critics. Tendulkar was upset and he expressed his displeasure during a press conference.
Tendulkar was not amused by Dravid's iconoclasm.
Tendulkar knew pretty well that being the politician that Ganguly is, and as someone who can't command a place in the side by sheer performance, the Maharaj could not have gone for such a bold declaration.
Controversy was stirred also by Ganguly with Bengali media lobby insinuating that Dravid declared Indian innings to deny Tendulkar the double century. I have no evidence that Tendulkar did not buy that theory.
And Tendulkar's new found love for a much discredited Ganguly (which was evident as Tendulkar gave a good conduct certificate to Ganguly when Sharad Pawar came calling) mirrors the Mumbaikar's fears of what will happen if Dravid becomes all too powerful in the team management.
Will Tendulkar be eased out of the team if doesn't perform well?
It is a justifiable thought for a batsman who is no longer the epicentre of Indian cricket.