Johannesburg: India needs to regroup for the Test series. The side has been pounded in the ODIs. Unless it can find urgent answers to vexing questions, the team could receive a hiding in the Tests too.

At least, the side has a wealth of experience for the Tests. The presence of V.V.S. Laxman and Sourav Ganguly will provide the batting line-up with a more complete look.

Ganguly's return has been debated upon, and evoked mixed reactions. However, a glimpse at the former India captain's performances in his last four Test innings suggests that he deserved a recall.

Ganguly's recent record

Ganguly made 40 and 39 against Sri Lanka in the second Test at New Delhi late last year. He was involved in a crucial partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in the first innings. India went on to win the match, but Ganguly was dropped from the squad for the final Test.

He was picked for the Test series in Pakistan, did not get to bat in the first Test, was omitted for the second and showed some courage in the third. Ganguly's 34 and 37 on a seaming Karachi pitch, when India was in dire straits, were creditable efforts. Shoaib Akhtar, went full throttle, bounced at Ganguly, but he did not flinch.

Compared to the string of single-digit returns by some of the younger batsmen — they were given a seemingly endless run — Ganguly's performances were definitely not failures. Yet, he found himself out in the cold.

Subsequently, Ganguly has notched up a hundred in Duleep Trophy, and bowled usefully for East Zone and Bengal. Yuvraj Singh's injury cleared the path for him. The meek surrender of some of the young batsmen and the injury to Rahul Dravid made his selection a certainty.

But then, how will Ganguly fare on the pitches here? The South African pacemen are bound to test him with short-pitched deliveries. Perhaps, he can look back at his blazing Test hundred against Australia at the Gabba in 2003.

There, he produced thumping horizontal bat shots off the back-foot. At the same time, he has to tighten his game, play a lot closer to his body and pick the right balls to strike.

Now, the selectors have handed him a lifeline.

Under the circumstances, V.V.S. Laxman's elevation as vice-captain is a significant move by the selectors. Laxman is likely to skipper India in the first Test at the Wanderers; Dravid's finger injury is unlikely to heal before the second Test.

Laxman's promotion seems logical. During India's glory days — whether in the 2003 World Cup, the campaign in Australia or the 2004 tour of Pakistan — Ganguly had a strong vice-captain in Dravid. This took a lot of pressure off the skipper.

A struggling Sehwag was not quite what Dravid required from his deputy here. Dravid and Laxman jell well. Tactically, Laxman is sound. He also handles bounce better than most Indian batsmen, save Dravid and Tendulkar. But Laxman, given his inadequate footwork, is a touch suspect against lateral movement.

Gautam Gambhir has been picked for his ability to counterattack, play the horizontal bat shots. His presence should also keep Sehwag on his toes.

The big and strong V.R.V. Singh should add teeth to the Indian pace attack. He bowls the right length for the South African pitches — just short of a good length — hits the deck and extracts bounce.

Mohammed Kaif is, perhaps, unlucky to be dropped for the Test series; he did notch up a hundred in the second Test against the West Indies in the Caribbean. But the batsman, presently, is low on confidence and a stint in domestic cricket should do him no harm.

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