By Anil
December 19 2006

Team India, crushed in the ODI series by huge margins in every game, bounced back against all expectations to destroy South Africa by 123 runs on a difficult Wanderers pitch in the first Test. If there was one major change in the team that had been humiliated along every step of the way in the ODI series, it was the team spirit infused by two players at opposite ends of the experience spectrum: seasoned campaigner Sourav Ganguly and young fast bowler Sree Sreesanth.

Ironically, Greg Chappel had once called Sourav the "cancer" in the team in his infamous email to the BCCI, in which he maligned the ex-captain with a battery of charges proven to be mostly lies after an inquiry into it by the BCCI.

Yet, it was Chappel who stayed and Ganguly shown the exit door. Aside from Chappel's vengeful agenda, there was the small matter of career politician and new BCCI chief Sharad Pawar who was determined to disrupt anything linked to his predecessor Jagmohan Dalmiya, and Ganguly just happened to be one of those links.

Newly appointed Chief Selector Dilip Vengsarkar did India a huge favor by bringing back Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, and VVS Laxman into the Test team after the whipping the Indians received in the ODI series. Much to the opposition of a displeased Chappel, reportedly supported by Rahul Dravid as always, Ganguly was reinstated into the team by Vengsarkar for the Test series. Since then, India has won both the games in which he was part of the team, and he played key roles in each.

Ganguly's unbeaten 51 in the first innings was the foundation upon which India mounted its respectable total on a difficult pitch; his grit and determination the inspiration for Team India.

The fiesty Sreesanth's boundless enthusiasm and aggression gave, apart from the many wickets which brought South Africa to its knees as they collapsed for their lowest total ever (84) since reinduction into cricket, an optimism and joy that worked with Ganguly in bringing the team together. Man of the Match Sreesanth was not only the best bowler in this match, but consistently the fastest bowler among both sides, unexpected given the 5-man South African pace attack that was hyped as both dangerous and quick. Today, he is the toast of the nation and an inspiration for us all.

Zaheer bowled hostile and accurate spells in tandem with Sreesanth to rip through the Saffie lineup, Laxman showed some of his finest form, and Anil Kumble the old warhorse chipped in with wickets as well. Sachin Tendulkar contributed a valuable 44 in his first innings, and tailenders VRV Singh and Zaheer knocked off some useful runs to frustrate the Saffie attack. Dravid bravely insisted on playing this Test despite a fractured finger, and although he was not able to make an individual contribution in either innings, decided to bat on a difficult pitch after winning the toss, rotated his bowlers intelligently and set aggressive fields.

In the end, it was a team effort that brought India a historic first victory in South Africa. However, the images that will remain with the fan will be those of the Bengal tiger that roared again, and a new young fast bowler with loads of character swinging his bat after hitting a monstrous six.