Ganguly back in the Indian team

[Django]

Ganguly has been recalled to the Indian squad for the test series against South Africa. What does this say about the cricket in India?

I believe it is very sad that the selectors have to go back to discarded players. Out of a population of over billion and in a country where cricket is religion, it is tragic that the selectors cannot find young players to fill the gap.

[vvvrulz]

And of all the possible discarded players, they pick the one whose career went tumbling to the ground.

An absolute nonsense selection if you ask me.

[Karthik]

I think it was a good move to pick Ganguly because they are in horrible form and they needed some experienced players to make the squad.The comeback of Laxman into the test and ODI squad will give India some hope.Let's hope they do well in the test series.

[Speedboy Salesman]

well because I'm holidaying in India right now, the newspapers are in full support for Sourav's return. The Herald, the Times of India etc all positive!

[DomainK]

Speedyboy, where r u in India? R u in bombay?

Ganguly's return is a welcome move. The selectors dropped him when he was out of form. Now he is back because he is back in from. He scored a few centuries in domestic cricket and made it back to the team. The team needs experienced players right now and Ganguly will play an important role in the team.

[vvvrulz]

I don't think Ganguly is equipped to face the Pollock-Ntini-Nel trio.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I think it was a good move to pick Ganguly because they are in horrible form and they needed some experienced players to make the squad.

I agree. And he has already shown what a contribution he CAN make. Even Monsieur Chappel had to admit that is was because of Ganguly (first innings, warm-up game vs RoSA side), that Pathan had the confidence to bat well.

I think picking Ganguly was a good move. And I hope he does well in the tests. Apart from the experience he brings, a middle-order line-up with Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman looks a great deal better than it looked in the ODI's. Not so sure about the openers though...

[Ella Wilson]

I think it is very Good for indian cricket team that Ganguly come back in team, it make indian cricket team in strong position. and it very good for world cup 2007 also.

[Nostromo]

I think it was a good move to include Ganguly ahead the World Cup. For one thing, he has shown some good form and consistency in the ODIs so far. I think he has largely exorcised the short-ball demon and with his experience, should be able to handle the likes of Ntini & Taylor. But the real issue is the increasing importance of spin bowling in modern ODI cricket; it has become commonplace for teams to include spinners with the specific task of stifling the scoring rate in the middle of an innings after the fireworks of the powerplays. It is in those sort of situations that someone like Ganguly - with his proven ability to take spinners apart - can be very useful.

For both reasons though, I am not sure if opening the innings is the best role suited for Ganguly. Now that Uthappa is included for better or worse, either Tendulkar or a rejuvinated Sehwag should open with the youngster, allowing Ganguly to come it at No:4 or 5. That would give him a better chance of handling the spinners.

[vvvrulz]

Boy was I proven wrong !!

Ganguly has rediscovered himself and is reaping the just rewards. There is no doubt in my mind that he should open the innings through the World Cup, his newly found calm and composure really helps solidify the top order. It then becomes a toss up between Sehwag and Uthappa, and i'm willing to vouch for the latter, why not take a punt !