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by Veena Gabriel
When Saurav dons his pads and helmet to play at VCA Nagpur for his last test match will he have a feeling that he has experienced before something which is actually happening now? God Forbid. The unpleasant incident that took place here four years ago changed the course of his entire cricket career.
ganguly GC6lH 17022
It was here only in the same stadium The Vidharbha Cricket Association Grounds, Nagpur, playing against Australia in 2004 that Saurav, the then Indian Skipper declared himself injured out- a mysterious injury till date- got him the demeaning title of being a coward.
The sight of green top wicket against one of the best pace attack of Aussies made him so angry that it was alleged he decided not to play. A costly mistake which perhaps cost him dear. Technically as the Indian skipper, he was right in his viewpoint.In 2004 India had the best spinners,Kumble and Muralikartik, and trailing 1-0 Saurav had every right to expect VCA to roll out perfect pitch for their home team.
The internal politics of BCCI with the then president Dalmiya at loggerheads with VCA president Shashank Manohar(now BCCI president) with the Indian Team caught in the middle. A request by Saurav to Shashank to shave off some of the grass went unheeded as he had personal scores to settle.
The scapegoat was Ganguly who perhaps took a impetuous and unfortunately wrong decision of not playing, leaving Dravid as the acting captain for that match and the rest is history. Saurav has paid his pound of flesh. The adamant attitude of two non players made him lose his credibility. The winning captain who led his team to victories was forgotten.T he captain who abandoned his team was remembered.
Although he has made a unexpected comeback at 34, but now at 36 and playing his last test match here is a prayer from the hearts of all the cricket lovers "May our team win this match and may the last match of Saurav end in spectacular glory which may outshine all his previous performances"
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