Ganguly 'faces big challenge' to regain place

The former Indian captain, Kapil Dev, has said that Sourav Ganguly faces a "big challenge" in regaining his position in the side, after he was replaced as captain by Rahul Dravid.

"Ganguly needs to prove to everybody that he still deserves a place in the team. It would be a big challenge for him," Kapil told reporters on Saturday.

This week, the Indian selectors appointed Rahul Dravid captain for the two forthcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and South Africa, a total of 12 ODIs which begin on October 25. Responding to suggestions that the door had been shut on Ganguly, Kapil said he would need to perform at his best to show that he belongs at the highest level of the game. And reacting to Dravid taking over the reins of the side, he inferred that the appointment of a new captain should, ideally, not be a short-term decision.

"A longer period at the helm would provide a conducive atmosphere to deliver results," he said. "The same happened to me when I was a player and it is very painful. If a person is good enough, he should not be given a time frame."