It’s THE Call For The Wall

tags:Sports

No.3 Takes Up No.1 Post

Is it curtains for the Saurav Ganguly show as the captain of  Team India ? And did Rahul Dravids’ tea have all the sugar cubes in it today, after he was informed by the BCCI about his appointment as the team’s new captain for the next two one-day series.

Dravid came to know about his new role during the tea break on the opening day of the Super Test in Sydney. He was fielding for World XI in the Super Test against Australia when word reached from home that he had been selected as the skipper ahead of an injured Sourav Ganguly.

‘‘It’s an honour and privilege. I’m very pleased to have been asked to take up the role,’’ Dravid said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ganguly refused to comment on his exclusion from the team for the first two one – dayers against Sri Lanka saying from his south Kolkata residence: ‘‘Don’t wait in the sun for a reaction. I have nothing to say.’’

Ganguly did not take part in the Challenger Trophy in Mohali also, because he has not recovered from the tennis elbow injury he sustained on the Zimbabwe tour. The former captain’s supporters’ however feel it’s an evil plot to end his career and are hoping that Ganguly makes a comeback. After all he has figures to prove his tenure as the most successful captain for the men in blue.

Coach Greg Chappell termed Dravid’s appointment as a positive thing for Indian cricket, saying he indeed was the captain material and that Ganguly needs to work hard on his fitness and form to get back. Though many see this as a win for Chappell in his row with Saurav Ganguly, which created quite a controversy during the recent Zimbabwe tour.

Meanwhile Dravid’s mind is already racing as to what strategy he needs to implement when the Sri Lankans come calling for the one- day series. ‘‘Once this very important match is over, I look forward to returning to India to make plans for the matches that are ahead of us,’’ the stylish batsman said

Commenting on his rapport with the coach he said, "I've had no issues with Greg, we've worked together for one series and the whole idea is to gel as a team."

This will be Dravid's longest tenure as Indian captain. He has served as deputy to Sourav Ganguly for about five years during which he stood in for India's most successful captain on many occasions.

"A longer run (as captain) will certainly help," India's most prolific No. 3 said.

"Captaincy is something you grow into.

"(But) my basic job is to work with what I have. Deciding the tenure is the selector's job.

"I'll just take it as two series for now and we'll see the rest after that."

The results of the forthcoming series will tell whether the selectors have made the right choice or not.