The dance of one step forward and half a step back continues. As widely predicted by the press yesterday, Saurav has made a comeback to the squad to tour Pakistan announced by the selectors today. The culture of leaks is alive and well (See archives – Culture of leaks).

Here is the squad of 16 : Rahul Dravid (Captain), Virender Sehwag (Vice-capt), Gautam Gambhir, Wasim Jaffer,  Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Parthiv Patel, Rudra Pratap Singh, Zaheer Khan, Sourav Ganguly.

Apart from Saurav Ganguly, the squad is along expected lines. I am glad that Zaheer has been recalled to the side. I believe that he is crucial to our fortunes in Pakistan. Once the decision to go with two keepers was made, Parthiv was an automatic choice considering current form.

The current BCCI clearly believes in continuity. They are dutifully continuing the glorious tradition of rampant politics and interference in matters of team selection perfected by the outgoing Board members. Good job, guys!! In the process, both Jaggu Dalmiya and cohorts and now Sharad Pawar and gang have made the selectors look like a ‘bunch of jokers’, a term immortalized by the peerless Mohinder Amarnath. It is as applicable today as it was then.

I am not going to make a long analysis to show the obvious (See archives – The last resort of the rascal, Time to say goodbye). It is clear to the blind that there is no consistency of thought in first picking Ganguly to face Sri Lanka, then dropping him after 2 tests and then picking him again to tour Pakistan. The second decision came from the selectors themselves and shows what they would do if allowed independence. The first and third decisions were forced upon them by the Board. As a result, Kiran More has looked like a complete fool. He first claimed Ganguly was picked as a batting all rounder, a claim even the shamelessly self-promoting player would find difficult to mouth. Now he has offered Saurav’s experience as the reason for selection.

Well, the experience that Dada has against Pakistan can only be described as a bad experience!! He has played 7 tests against them. He averages 27.0 against Pakistan against a career average of 40.9. His scores in the last 3 tests against them at home read – 21 – 12 – 12 – 1 – 2 for an average of 9.6. This should be reason to drop him, not select him. If I were a Pakistani bowler, I would be audibly licking my lips right now!

I had hoped that Sharad Pawar would withstand the considerable political pressure on him and let the selectors do their job. The selectors are totally at the mercy of Board officials to remain in their jobs and cannot be independent in the current set up. I just wish they had shown some spine and fought their corner harder.

The hysterical reaction to Saurav’s exclusion from the side will go down as a shameful chapter in the history of Indian cricket ( See archives – What can you say, A national disgrace.). I am also on record for having said that Saurav’s so-called supporters are setting him up for humiliation. The way the people of Kolkata have behaved over the last 2 months is a blot that will be hard to wash away.

The politicians from the state share a parasitic relationship with Saurav Ganguly and their tactics come as no surprise. Politicians in Kolkata have long bent over backwards to facilitate every aspect of his life and have basked in his glory in return. Saurav now benefits from the unprecedented pressure that they applied on the national stage and on the BCCI. The politicians, in return, get the credit for having resurrected the honor of a fallen Bengali hero. Saurav gets his place back, the politicians gain some cheap popularity and everybody goes home happy. That they have set a dangerous and now successful precedent is the last thing on their minds. That Indian cricket emerges a loser in this mess is the least of their worries. Who said that the game is more important than any individual player ? You must be deluded, mate!

In the future, there will be occasions when unpopular but correct decisions have to be taken in the interest of the team. Well, the player in question, along with the people and politicians of that state now have a successful formula to apply. It would be poetic justice if the young player that loses out on the next occasion is from Bengal. People and politicians of Kolkata – you have shamed me. The pride that I have always felt for my city is severely dented. I could forget everything but the jeering of the national team and the extreme intolerance you have displayed is unforgivable.

The man in question is now too blinded by self-interest to see beyond his bat. What can you say when someone is so determined to destroy his own legacy? On the 3^rd. of October, just after the Zimbabwe tour and  before he was dropped from the team I had written a piece (Archives - Only in India) predicting that the tour of Pakistan will be Saurav’s last. Watch this space to see if I keep my neck!