Kolkata, November 21: Is the now-embittered relations between the Cricket Association of Bengal President Jagmohan Dalmiya and former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly on the mend? That's the question doing the rounds in cricketing circles in Kolkata after the duo had its first meeting in public nearly four months after the acrimonious CAB elections, where Ganguly had lent his support to the faction opposed to his one-time mentor Dalmiya.



None of the past rancour seemed to be there as the seasoned cricket administrator and the left handed batsman chatted over a cup of tea and Dalmiya expressed confidence that Ganguly would make his way back into the Indian team on the strength of his playing capabilities.

"Ganguly will be back into the team by dint of his capability. He will return for sure", Dalmiya said, while giving a pep talk to the Bengal team ahead of their Ranji Trophy match in Mohali against Punjab from November 23 to 26.

Dalmiya had taken the first step himself in breaking the ice when he asked Ganguly to sit next to him and the cricketer smilingly obliged.


Source: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=77338#compstory

08 July 1972, Calcutta
Left Hand Bat
Right Arm Medium

Test Debut: India v England at Lord's, 2nd Test, 1996
ODI Debut: India v West Indies at Brisbane, World Series, 1991/92



Ganguly made his first appearance in the International arena in as a young player in 1991when he played the one game vs. West Indies on the 1991/92 tour to Australia. He failed in that match and was dropped for the rest of the tournament. Ganguly then scored thousands of runs in the domestic season for Bengal and staged a comeback in 1996 in the Test arena when he scored an emphatic century at Lords on his debut. This century scored on a seamer friendly conditions against Gough, Devon Malcolm and Angus Fraser put all his critics to shame. He never looked back. Since then, it has been impossible to even think of an Indian team in both forms of the game without him. On the strength of his figures and undoubted class, he has won his place as among the `Big Three' of the Indian batting order. Few would deny him his place as probably the greatest left hander Indian cricket has ever seen.
As an opening batsman in ODI he has alongside Sachin Tendulkar proved themselves to be the most successful ODI opening partnership in history leaving behind Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. With superb timing he caresses the ball to the boundary. When in mood, especially in ODIs- he murderously assaults the bowler . The manner in which he steps out and pounces on the ball, like a tiger on a hapless prey, is a delight to watch.
"When it comes to off side play first there is God then there is Ganguly," is how Rahul Dravid chooses to describe Ganguly's lazy elegance.
Sourav or Dada as he is lovingly called enjoys almost a God like status in Bengal from where he is. The immense love he is showered with by the people of Bengal and Calcutta especially is justified by the fact that he is the only local cricketer to have scaled such a height in the world of sports.