Many interpretations of Ganguly’s selection among probables

Mumbai, Aug 9 : Former India captain Sourav Ganguly’s inclusion among the 30 probables announced Wednesday for the Champions Trophy is an interesting development, though experts are interpreting this surprise move of the selectors in a variety of ways.

Ganguly’s selection in Bangalore obviously is no guarantee he would be picked for the final squad of 14 by Sep 7 - the deadline for the 10 participating countries for submitting the teams - for the prestigious tournament to be played in India in October-November.

Also, the recall of left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan, batsman V.V.S. Laxman and leg-spinner Anil Kumble does not surprise so much as the inclusion of 32-year-old left-handed Ganguly.

The selection of Ganguly, who last played a one-day international 11 months ago, is an ironical choice.

He was never considered - not even in his prime - a brilliant fielder. And at 32 years and a few months, it is anybody’s guess how good he could be in a version of the game where agility, suppleness and stamina are the prime requisites to be successful, besides the skill, experience and form.

So, experts feel that if at all Ganguly was to be recalled it should have been in the Test team where a less agile or brilliant fielder can be “adjusted” in the outfield, and where a batsman can take time to build his innings.

In one-dayers, feel experts, he could be a liability as a fielder, if not as a batsman, as his reflexes are slowing down with age and whose confidence would be low because of poor form.

The media had virtually written off Ganguly as speculation was rife that the five selectors might not pick 30 probables and instead opt for around 25 to get rid of the Bengal player.

But the same selectors - who were quoted profusely without being named in the last few days - sprung a surprise by sticking to the upper limite set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

What happened overnight that changed the minds of the five wise men headed by Kiran More?

Several theories are being suggested for this unexpected development.

Some experts feel that Ganguly’s honeymoon with the national team could last less than a month and he would be omitted when the final 14 are named.

But there is another school of thought - and with quite a valid point: Would the selectors break a convention and pick a senior player - remember Ganguly is India’s most successful Test captain - and select him among the probables only to embarrass him by axing him from the final squad?

Still others feel that a kind of understanding could well have been reached between the selectors and Ganguly to offer the elegant batsman a “farewell tournament”.

This time, however, this version could carry more weight that more, especially as Ganugly has just returned from England after a forgettable stint in the county competition.

Experts also point to the recent Bengal cricket elections in which Ganugly unsuccessfully opposed supremo Jagmohan Dalmiya. They say that he could have made his mind to quit cricket and, therefore, his inclusion as probable.

The bottom line is that all these are mere interpretations and speculations. Part of the truth will be known when the selectors prune the 30 probables to 14. But the Ganguly saga would linger on.

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