- Indians, particularly the Bengalees, have vulnerabilities. Sourav is no exception. So he is dear to the Bengalees.
In his very first appearance in an One day international in Australia against West Indies, Sourav looked out of sorts. His running between the wickets, a hallmark of one-day batting, was pathetic. The way he was ultimately out was bathetic! The way he conducted himself in the field led to a serious question if he was fit to play mentally, not to mention physically, for a national team.
Four years later in 1996 versus England at the Lord’s, Sourav debuted in test cricket.
The cricketing world saw a God of Off side in play. Dominic Corck, Mullally were off-driven with clinical precision through off side and the cricket ball crashed against the fence time and again. The crowds bowed in respect. What a comeback!
After being dropped for his indifferent form and run-ins with Greig Chappel, the controversial Australian coach of Indian team, Sourav was called again to play versus South Africa in South Africa.
Chappel might have been itching to show to the world what a circus he would provide to the world by playing Sourav against the marauding Proteas pacers on bouncy tracks in their den. It is known to the world about the proverbial weakness of Indian batsmen against short-pitched deliveries.
Chappel was kept waiting and waiting hopelessly. Sourav lorded over the South African pacers this time – Polock and Ntini, particularly. He drove and cut pulled to a classy 51 not out and India won the first test for the first time on South Africa soil.
Bad luck Chappel!
And again what a comeback!
After retirement Sourav is still running that solo magic on a certain TV programme and some commercials.
It is commonly believed that the Bengalees can not fight back.
Sourav reverses it, despite his Bengalee-like vulnerability.