It was a proud moment when Harbhajan Singh made Muralidharan nick one to Dhoni, in the process reaching the top spot in the test. This definitely means that we are the best in test matches at least for now. A proud thing isn't it? All this started with one man being named captain in 1999, Saurav Ganguly. The 2001 test series that turned everything around, before which for two years everyone thought that the Aussies were invincible, set the tone for the rest of the world. For the first time since their world cup win in 1999, the Aussies crumbled under pressure. Ganguly's aggression was a taste of their own medicine. I dare say, a bit too much for their expectations. Ganguly taught the Indians to be aggressive and it paid rich dividends. With the magic of Laxman, Harbhajan and company, Ganguly made his first in roads into the Australian side. Later when the Indians toured Australia, once again it was the first time that Australia lost a test at home since 1999. Though India lost the very next test match, the long term damage had been done, proving that Indians can beat anyone anywhere. It was Ganguly who backed the then youngsters like Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan singh, Yuvraj singh and Ajit Agarkar. Except Agarkar the rest of them have gone on to become the pillars of Indian cricket. Inspit of all the controversies that may surround him, he was the man who brought an aggressive face to the Indian team and proving to themselves and the rest of the world that Indians are no longer bunnies in tours.

Saurav's form suffered after being named the captain but still managed to play some important knocks. Who can forget the match saving knock of 144 in the first match of the 2003-04 tour down under? It was the aggression that Saurav built during his tenure that has left Dhoni with the cushion of a young and aggressive team. Indian cricket owes a lot to this man just because of the way in which he handled his captaincy just after the match fixing scandals. Before Ganguly no one gave this Indian team a chance outside the sub continent. Before Ganguly the Indian team had a timid reputation and a reputation to be timid. Before Ganguly no other Indian captain got on the offensive with an Australian captain. Ganguly should be given the credit for creating such an attacking frame of mind for the Indians. He is not just Saurv Ganguly, he is our Saviour Ganguly.