He's Back!

Desperate times, desperate measures? Or is it plain political pressure?

The national selectors have, as expected, reportedly on the strong pressurefrom the West Bengal contingent in Parliament—where such expert Cricketcommentators as Brinda Karat had pleaded his cause—finally confirmed the recallof former captain Sourav Ganguly — onstensibly to beefup the tottering Indian line up for the three-Test series against South Africa.It begs the question: if he is such a solid hope, why not send him as areplacement for Dravid for the ODIs, Ganguly's forte?

The promotion of VVS Laxman as the vice-captain for the Test team wouldperhaps gladden the hearts of many a purist, but then wasn't he said to be unfitjust a few weeks back?

Facing the heat in the wake of India's disastrous show of late, the selectorshad an unusual meeting with BCCI president Sharad Pawar in the morning beforethey picked the 16-member squad which included opener Gautam Gambhir and pacemanZaheer Khan.

VVS Laxman, suddenly back in favour after being kept out of the one-day teamon grounds of fitness, was elevated as vice-captain for the Test seriesbeginning on December 15.

The axe fell on Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina for India's dismal display inthe one-day series, which they have already squandered 3-0 to the South Africans andthe duo would return home after the last ODI on December 3.

Ganguly's comeback after being in the wilderness for ten months was expectedconsidering the frenzy that had been building over the past two days and hissubsequent stepping down from Bengal captaincy.

Asked about the left-hander's inclusion, selection committee chairman DilipVengsarkar said "If you look at the performance in South Africa, ourbatting has failed. We need experienced players like Laxman and Ganguly."

Ganguly, on his part, promised to give his best on the tour given hisexperience of having played on tracks with bounce and carry.

"My job is to go and do well. I have lot of runs behind me andexperience to play on the bouncy pitches in South Africa," Ganguly toldreporters at the Eden Gardens.

However, he would not be able to represent Bengal in their Ranji Trophy gameagainst Mumbai starting December 1 as he is scheduled to leave for South Africafrom Mumbai on Dec 3 along with Vikram Rajvir Singh and Gambhir.

Ajit Agarkar and Dinesh Mongia would also return home with Raina and Kaifafter the one-day series.

Ganguly comes in the place of an injured Yuvraj Singh in the middle orderwhile Zaheer was rewarded for his good show in the one-dayers with a Test berth.Both Ganguly and Zaheer last played a Test against Pakistan in January thisyear.

Ganguly, whose comeback is bound to ruffle a few feathers given his souredrelations with coach Greg Chappell, is expected to turn out in the warm-up gameagainst South Africa A at Potchefstroom from December 7-10.

Gambhir was also finally rewarded for his consistency in the domestic circuitwith a place in the 16, announced by BCCI secretary and selection committeeconvenor Niranjan Shah at a press conference in the Capital.

Vengsarkar said the selectors wanted to send out the message that nobody couldtake their place in the team for granted through their decision to strip Sehwagof vice-captaincy.

"Absolutely. Nobody can take his place in the team for granted,"said Vengsarkar when asked whether removing Sehwag from vice-captaincy was amessage to him.

The Delhi opener has averaged just 27.25 in his last 25 one-dayers while inTests in the 2005-06 season, he has averaged 39.37, a sharp decline from a fine52.

Vengsarkar also backed Irfan Pathan to fire again soon.

"Pathan bowled well the other day. He also batted well. You cannot justdrop him like that, it will spoil his confidence. He is the player for thefuture, we are sure he will perform soon."

Team: Rahul Dravid (capt), VVS Laxman (vice-capt), Wasim Jaffer,Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, MahendraSingh Dhoni, Dinesh Kaarthick, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Munaf Patel,Irfan Pathan, VRV Singh, Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth.

with inputs from PTI