The Hindu : Sport : A warm reception for Ganguly

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Wednesday, Dec 06, 2006
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A warm reception for Ganguly

S. Dinakar

— PHOTO: AP

WELCOME BACK, DADA: Sourav Ganguly arrived for a practice session just a couple of hours after reaching South Africa.

Potchefstroom: Sourav Ganguly took the fast road to the Indian Test squad's first practice session here on a sunny Tuesday. The former India captain arrived in Johannesburg at 7.30 a.m, then zipped to Potchefstroom in two hours on the freeway.

After a quick shower at the team hotel, he joined the side at 11.10 a.m. The session had begun at 9.30 a.m. in the Sedgars Park's impressive outdoor facility. Some of his team-mates were surprised that Dada could actually make it to the ground so soon after landing in South Africa.

"Welcome back," shouted Greg Chappell, monitoring the nets as Ganguly walked up to the coach. The smiles were followed by a warm handshake.

Soon, skipper Rahul Dravid, who was — significantly — knocking back balls chucked at him by bio-mechanist Ian Fraser and physio John Gloster, had a long conversation with Ganguly. The two started their Test careers together at Lord's in 1996.

Ganguly made enquires about Dravid's right middle finger still covered by a cast.

"It was off Harbhajan's bowling," explained Dravid even as he stretched out his right hand to show how he picked up the injury at slip.

Laxman hopeful

Happily for India, Dravid was able to grip the bat without discomfort as he drove balls thrown at him. "I hope he recovers in time for the first Test," said vice-captain V.V.S. Laxman, speaking to presspersons later.

Laxman had words of appreciation for Ganguly. "It is good to have him here. There is tremendous respect for him in the side."

Ganguly appeared focussed, whether going through the fitness drills — he jumped over a row of bottles with his pads on and then sprinted with fitness trainer Gregory King — or stroking the ball confidently at the nets.

Asked what would be the key area for India in the Tests series, Laxman replied "the starts." He added whenever the openers delivered, India generally reached a good total.

It was not without reason that Dravid spent time speaking to Wasim Jaffer and Gautam Gambhir during the session. The skipper was stressing on the importance of getting into the right body positions.

Dravid's deputy is confident that India can turn the tables in the Test series. "The potential and ability in this squad is amazing. We need to draw inspiration from our performances on bouncy wickets, such as in Australia in 2003-04. Now, Greg Chappell is helping us technically," said Laxman.

A huge factor

Champion leg-spinner Anil Kumble was a huge factor in that series. Laxman pointed out - "He is a match-winner, outside India also."

Kumble was humming at Sedgars Park along with spin partner Harbhajan Singh. A young paceman was stretching every sinew too. V.R.V. Singh bowled with pace and extracted lift. India will be looking at experience and youth for a revival of fortunes.

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