Now that, only the coach can tell, or maybe the captain. Just before he went in to bat, Ganguly did walk up to Rahul Dravid. They had a small chat of their own, both struggling to meet each other’s eyes. Remember Dravid the wicket-keeper?

Then, there was VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and finally Sachin Tendulkar, smiling, soft, the ghosts of the past locked up somewhere inside. It was Dada, after all, one of India’s most inspirational leaders, Dravid’s “God on the offside”, the man who has simply refused to lie down and die, even if his bat may be struggling to keep up with the mind.

“Sourav has been a tremendous player for the team, and his return will definitely boost the confidence in the team. We all have tremendous respect for Sourav,” said Laxman.

Ask Sreesanth, who asked “Dada” to return to the nets for a second stint, just so that the youngster could sort out his length against South Africa’s leftie line-up of Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince and Jacques Rudolph. “Anything you say,” Ganguly told a beaming Sreesanth, picking up his bat once again.

Yes, the man knows how to connect—with anybody, at any level. But will that be enough this time? Will Ganguly play the four-day game against Rest of South Africa on Thursday? He should. The first Test? He should, but only if the team decides to go in with four bowlers.

Dravid has told this newspaper that he is keen and confident that he will play in the first Test starting December 15, even if his finger injury may prevent him from fielding up close. Even Tendulkar has shrugged off his elbow “bruise”, telling The Indian Express, “I am fine, very fine. I think I will play in this tour game too.”

... contd.