Sourav gets one last chance to redeem himself on home turf

He may be one of Kolkata’s most accomplished cricketers. But somehow, Eden Gardens has never quite been a happy hunting ground for local icon Sourav Ganguly.

He may be one of Kolkata’s most accomplished cricketers. But somehow, Eden Gardens has never quite been a happy hunting ground for local icon Sourav Ganguly.

As the 35-year-old takes to the field tomorrow when the second Test between India and gets underway, there all the world’s pressure will be on him to shake off the blues on his home turf, where his best knock in Tests is 65, especially so, because this encounter is being seen by many as the ageing left-hander’s last Test outing at home.

The other story, of course, is that Sourav has to stay in the focus for the crucial tour of Australia this winter.

Story continues below this ad

With just 292 runs from 12 innings at an average of 24.33, and no more than just a single half-century to his credit, Ganguly’s record at Eden Gardens is not uninspiring for a local boy — it’s abysmal by any standards, especially for Ganguly. Add to that the fact his last two scores here were a forgettable 12, against Pakistan in March 2005, and you know the odds are heavily stacked against him.

Despite the obvious underperformance at the Eden, India skipper Anil Kumble doesn’t like it when pundits write Ganguly off whenever he is batting on home turf.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to judge a player by his performance at a particular ground and then say he is unsuccessful. Sourav is a very successful player,” asserted Kumble today, when asked about Ganguly’s dismal record at the Eden.

“Take the Ferozeshah Kotla match. He was very successful with the bat and ball. Here too, Sourav will definitely get a bowl.”

Story continues below this ad

The veteran of 97 Tests did shine towards the latter phase of the first Test in Delhi. But as Team India walk into the field tomorrow, all eyes will be on what is being seen as Ganguly’s last chance to redeem himself on the home turf.

SOURAV AT THE EDEN

1996/97: Vs South Africa 6 & 0

1997/98: Vs Australia 65

1998/99: Vs 17 & 24

2000/01: Vs Australia 23 & 48

2002/03: Vs West Indies 29 & 16

2004/05: Vs South Africa 40

2004/05: Vs Pakistan 12 & 12