Sourav Ganguly: The comeback kid

First things first, I am not a bengali, therefore i don't have the genetic inclination that most bengalis have to worship Sourav. In fact i never even liked him too much as a cricketer , as my adulation and admiration were reserved for a guy called Sachin Tendulkar.
Therefore when the whole Greg Chappel - Sourav issue blew up last year, I was among the many who wrote Sourav off. Think of it logically.
1. He was in a deep slump in form, which seemed to be sinking to lower levels with every match.
2. Bowlers all over the world seemed to have him sorted out - with his susceptibility to the short ball.
3. He had a public spat with a man the BCCI wasnt going to forgo as they had spent millions to acquire his services.
3. His loyal teammates, though did have kind words to say about him weren't going to stick their neck out for him.
4. Cricket is bigger than any individual therefore if the Indian team didn't need Ganguly then he had to go.
With all the above duly considered I would have advised Ganguly to gather up his tattered pride, acknowledge the fact that his best cricketing years were behind him and try and retire with as much grace as was now possible. I would have told Sourav to look at a lucrative career as a television commentator or maybe get into coaching. This would have been the logical and easy path to take.
But Sourav decided to ignore the multitude and stuck to a path that was strewn with thorns, broken bottles and landmines. Treading this path was not only dangerous but more catastrophically it could also amount to nothing. Basically there was no light at the end of the tunnel which could keep him going. A lesser man or a good poker player would have cut short his losses and gone his way and looked back on what was definitely a good cricketing career.
I can only imagine the guts it took to for him to decide to gamble what was left of his already bruised pride and tattered ego.
I can only imagine the self belief that lay within him as he played domestic cricket with juniors who a few months ago would have considered it their lucky day to have a word with him. To put his head down and work on his cricket while ignoring the sympathetic looks of the world or the smirks and comments of his detractors would have been a task of herculean proportions. Every cricketing move of his was watched with intense scrutiny with either the doomsday pundits saying that they were vindicated or overzealous Bengali's hailing his modest score as a sure sign of his class. To put all this aside, to focus on an impossible goal, to have unwavering belief in yourself speaks volumes of this mans character.
As a cricketer, I have never admired Ganguly, as a captain i did admit that he was a good leader but he was never a name to inspire awe or carry a nation - like Sachin. But his comeback to the indian team, which is nothing short of a miracle, has catapaulted him in my eyes as an extraordinary man. Not only has he come back, but he has grabbed this opportunity with both hands and earned his retention in the team. Now that's the epitome of a professional.
I am sure his family and friends would have rallied behind him and encouraged him through his trials but finally its the individuals mettle and resolve which counts.
He has channeled his anger, disappointment and humiliation in to a steely resolve which ended up with him drawing praise from his nemesis himself.
I believe that Chappel was justified in dropping Ganguly at that point of time, though the way it was done was a bit questionable, I believe that Chappel and the BCCI have acted as thorough professionals when Ganguly was recalled to the team and when they praised him for his performances. It reinforces my belief in professionalism in a country better known for corruption, dirty politics and non-meritocracy.
I can only tell Sourav Ganguly that you have gained a big fan now who admires you more for your mental and character prowess, and I wish you the best for the World Cup.