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Sourav Ganguly is back, not because the coach or the captain took his efforts against Sri Lanka seriously but because his supporters, a raucous lot made, made the right kind of noises for his inclusion to the Indian tour of Pakistan. The tourists will play three Tests and five ODIs and the curtain raiser is a two-day match at Lahore on 7-8 January 2006 before the first Test begin on 14th January in the same city.
Sourav has also been given a contract for the entire next year. It means that no matter what Chappell and the other detractors do, Dalmiya, er, Ganguly will have his say. Dalmiya is a mysterious number actually. No one, not even Sourav knows whether he is for him or against him. Dalmiya apologists reveal Dalmiya himself doesn't know and acts on visions that he has from time to time. That's the realm of the supernatural actually.
Meanwhile, Sourav supporters are also hoping that the ex-captain will redeem himself in Pakistan as he led the team there during their last visit and won everything. Actually, neither Chappell nor the other detractors would complain too much if Ganguly won them games in Pakistan with significant contributions. After all, the team also has the services of other heavies like Sehwag, skipper Dravid, the Tendulkar, Laxman, Pathan, Kumble and Harbhajan who are all expected to pay their parts. However, some Sourav supporters say that even if he did well individually and they lost people will blame Ganguly that he was the bearer of ill luck. Meanwhile, Kaif has been dropped from the tour and Zaheer Khan comes in.
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