Saurav the Dada or Saurav the batsman...

All of a sudden there is a media frenzy about Saurav and how the tiger is back, which makes up for very good reading. But the same Saurav was taunted and there was a frantic call for his head to roll when he was being a burden on the team. Chappell was commended and appreciated by the same media and fans for calling a spade a spade and dropping Saurav from the team. That was the best thing to happen to Indian cricket, and it was a master stroke by Chappell and Dravid, because that move stirred the dying tiger and revived his hunger.

Let us compare the Saurav of today and the Saurav of couple of months back (I am going to purely stick to his test performance).

Let us analyse his test performance in 2005 and 2006 against two of his best years say 1997 and 1998 (as he has played many tests during those 2 years). This comparison is purely going to be of Saurav the batsman.

Saurav's Test Stats

In 2007, he has played 7 matches, scored four 50's, and averaged 69.40

The stats above clearly shows the huge difference in what Saurav was when he started and then his form later on wained. Even the century he made was against a lowly Zimbabwe team. But earlier he was the worlds best left handed batsman (offside play = God).

It was not that he lost his talent, but that was the phase were he was taking his place for granted, he was in the team when proven performers like Lakshman and Kumble were being dropped or rested (whichever way you prefer to call it). This added to the pressure on Ganguly and his place in the team was questioned. We can accept that he was a good captain, but how long could he have survived just on that, the team looks up for a leader to perform and he was found wanting when it came down to performace. There were many more articles on paper and news channels asking for the axing of Ganguly. In stepped Greg Chappell and Saurav was dropped. The decision was commended by many at that time.

A few months away from cricket was what Saurav needed. A fitter and hungrier Saurav, the Saurav of the 90's is back. His innings in South Africa and his last ODI innings against the Windies has shown that Saurav is back.

Welcome back Saurav, India needs the Saurav of 90's and not the Dada of early 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Thank you Chappell and Dravid, dropping Saurav was a master stroke from both of you. The Bengal tiger has started roaring again.

Just go get the world cup for us Saurav

Sammy