On the front seat of the grey minivan, Sourav Ganguly sat alone, relaxed, leaning back, “enjoying the view”, the N-12 highway taking him past Soweto, the big blot of a terrible era, and then the Kloof gold mine. Towards Team India.

Some time during that 90-minute ride, he turned to security man Faisul Nagel, who was at the wheel, chatted for a few minutes, then turned away to watch the grass whiz by. There was no one else, just his cricket gear, the India blazer, and yes, a small reminder of the last 12 months—a Bengal team kitbag.

At the Sedgars Park in Potchesfstroom, a quiet little farming town, the cameras had begun to gather, India had started its net session, the air had begun to crackle.

Around 10.30 am, Ganguly walked into the Willows hotel, two kilometres away, blazer in place, the smile, too. A quick change of clothes, one final turn towards the ground, and he stepped out quietly, specks of bright grey glowing beneath the India cap.

Where is Greg Chappell?

The Australian coach, whose leaked email spelt the beginning of the end, was a short sprint away, studiously watching the nets, calling up young pacer VRV Singh for a chat. He never turned this way.

Unfazed, Ganguly dragged his kitbag across, knelt down and started unpacking, stopping briefly to exchange quick handshakes and smiles with Munaf Patel, MS Dhoni, and Sreesanth - Dhoni had made his debut under Ganguly, the India captain.

Then, the big moment. Ganguly got up, walked across to Chappell.

... contd.