Souravmania is here to stay

What a year it has been for Sourav Ganguly. The man, who made the greatest comeback in cricket a year ago, scored 1,000 runs in a calendar year in both formats of the game, hit the first double century of his career, scored his maiden hundred at the Eden Gardens in front of his home crowd, and now, scored a century of Test matches when he stepped into the MCG on Wednesday.

From carrying drinks (or his refusal do so) in 1992, to his shirt-waving act at the Lords balcony, from making Steve Waugh wait at the Eden Gardens for the toss during the epic 2001 series, to the entire fiasco involving Greg Chappel, Dada has always been in the midst of many controversies, more non-cricketing than cricketing.

Now with his 100th Test at Melbourne, Dada has crossed a new landmark. And, I am sure it would be more satisfying to him than any of his other centuries. Going by his current form and body language, it seems retirement is still a far way off.

The man, who changed the tag of “tigers at home, rabbits abroad” that India carried earlier, has never looked hungrier for runs. Like him or hate him, but it is difficult to ignore the man who is “after God on the side”. Souravmania is here to stay.

Indian cricket in 2007: First heartbreak, then victory

The year 2007 was a mixed bag for Indian cricket.

In February, the team landed in West Indies for the World Cup as one of the favourites. But what happened thereafter was, perhaps, the worst for Indian cricket since the 1979 World Cup. However, in 1979 there was at least some consolation – the team was playing in just its 2nd World Cup, the one day format of the game had not yet caught on, and India was pitted against the mighty West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

But what happened in 2007 was nothing short of a disaster. The team had a great batting line-up — probably the best in the world — it had the right blend of youth and experience, and it had fared very well in two previous series at home against West Indies and Sri Lanka just prior to the World Cup.

Even then the World Cup dreams of a million people back home crumbled in the first round itself. Team India was stung by Bangladesh in its first match. In the second, it redeemed its grace somewhat by achieving a victory against minnows Bermuda after scoring a World Cup record score of 413. However, in the third match India was comprehensively beaten by Sri Lanka, and eliminated from the World Cup.

Now, the question was how would Team India rise up from the ashes? Will the fans back home forgive the team for its disastrous World Cup campaign? Will Indian cricket regain its lost glory? If yes, how?

All these questions were answered in September, just seven months after the World Cup disaster. India reached South Africa to participate in the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship, this time with Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the helm.

No one gave this team a chance. Their three batting superstars - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly - were missing and India had played just one Twenty20 match before this. But Dhoni’s boys surprised everyone by winning the tournament after a series of giant-killing acts. En route to the final, India beat Australia, South Africa, England and Pakistan (twice).

It was India's first major triumph since winning the 1983 World Cup. Apart from adding a glorious chapter in the history of Indian cricket, the victory also laid to rest demons of the 50-over format of the World Cup.
India cricket in 2007 can be classified as the tale of two dreams - one that fans all over the world wished they never had, and, the other, that the country will never want to wake up from.

Now, all that needs to be done is to continue the victory march in Australia.