THE CONTINUING GANGULY SAGA

The continuing Ganguly saga

This is a tale - unfinished so far
Of a fiery cricketer - a lode star

An attacking player... with elegance to match
India's most successful Captain - and in the 10,000 (ODI) runs batch

For a man who has done so much for Indian cricket
Isn't it bizarre he's always on a sticky wicket

For a cricketer who has plundered 18,000 + runs (Test and one-day combined)
Not to mention the 22 one-day tons

It's ironical that he has to fight his way back
Battle the odds and ignore the flak

This story has had many twists and turns
But 'Dada' keeps his end up - the fire fiercely burns

Let's now take guard and take stock
The 'hitherto' Ganguly Saga' lets unlock

We'll examine the issues - such as they are
What the critics fall back on, in trying to pull down this star

'Dalmiya's man' - he was dubbed
Shouldn't he with Sachin, Sanath, Inzy - be clubbed? (10,000-ODI-Runs Select Club)

His place was assured in the team - they say
Thanks to his 'Godfather' - come what may

Then - may I ask the public this
Whose are the runs - Dalmiya's or his?

Some other 'crimes' - charged to his name
Shows dissent - slows down the game

Unfit - fakes injuries - late for the toss
Lazy - princely - ask Freddie Flintoff!

Some tag the word 'Parochial' to him
Ironical that memories can be so dim

Wasn't it Ganguly - the 'new broom'
(Who swept away zonal politics)
Exciting 'Indian' talent he did groom

Talent that he picked and backed
A 'fighting spirit' in the team was packed

He turned the Indian team around
Battle it out- stand your ground!

This took Indian cricket to new heights
Putting up some of the great fights
(Remember Eden Gardens…Barbados…Headingley…Adelaide…Chennai…Lords-NatWest?)

Won matches at home and away
Won accolades for the way we play

Then there's the talk about 'green tops'
Facing fast bowling Ganguly 'hops'?

From the quicks he shys away
Then how on earth did he flay

The opening bowlers in the one-day game
Dispatching them - on his way to fame

Some more chat - that he detests
'Chin Music' in the Tests

May I refer all - to the Brisbane Test
The Aussie quicks at their furious best

'The Wall' and 'The Little Master' fell
Sounding for the tour - a 'death knell'?

But out came striding the Captain bold
Unleashed his repertoire manifold

Leading from the front - at Brisbane
Treating the Aussies - with disdain

Thus at the 'Gabba' - of bounce and pace
Ganguly - to a 'setting-the-tone' century did race

From the 'Brisbane heights' to the 'Chappell era lows'
The Prince has stoically taken many blows

No 'fair-weather' friends - his legion of fans
They believe in him - he vindicates their stance

Experience, resolve - and the 'Ganguly' knack
Was behind the dramatic 2006-7 comeback

Sachin-Ganguly-Dravid-Laxman-Kumble - our Magical Five
Contrary to 'death-knells' - they are still very much alive

Currently the 'Fab Four' may not be at their batting best
All credit to a tre'mendis' display by Sri Lanka in the Tests

But if old Hayden and Hussey and Sanath are still around
Why should our 'younger' 'Seniors' not stand their ground? (didn't Leander Paes?)

'Out of form' - is how we dismiss and dispatch
Don't all great batsmen go through a rough patch? (Ponting is still around)

The press doesn't often bother to tell all
In the minds of the greats - Ganguly stands tall

Ask Gavaskar, Boycott, Bhogle - to name a few
His county (Glamorgan) also gives him his due

"An outstanding professional" - was the Glamorgan call
He's as committed as the 'Wall'

Not for power - or for pelf
It's cricket that spurs him on - improving himself

At 'sixes and sevens' - but not for long
At 'sixes and fours' - is where he still belongs

There are few better sights than the southpaw's grace
"God of the off-side" - is how he stays!

PS: I am a long-time cricket follower, a current 'interning' lawyer and a non-stop supporter of the Indian Cricket Team. (Particularly of 'Dada' and the Seniors). And I am not a Bengali !!

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