The Real Combatant ... Sourav Ganguly whos international cricket career has come to an end with the exit of India's best captain and probably the most stylish left handed batsman of recent times.

In many ways it was a fitting end to a glorious career full of uncertainties, drama and heart-break mingled with a sweet scent of success especially on foreign soil.

The gutsy young man never gave a second thought and fit into the slot like duck takes to water. There was no doubt that he proved himself to be a fine leader of men from the word go even though he was, at times, too arrogant and self centered and gave an impression that he was too aloof and lazy.

Unfortunately, this tag stuck to him till the end and his distracters were quick to capitalize on this weakness of his later, which ultimately saw him lose not only the captaincy but also his place in the Indian team, which he had made his own, with some scintillating performances as Sachin Tendulkar's opening partner in One-Dayers and a dependable middle order batsman in the Test matches.

However, when the whole world predicted his end during Greg Chappell's stint as Indian coach, he was gearing up to prove the world wrong with a near impossible comeback and proved to the world that he was still a force to reckon with as a batsman while his successors (for captaincy) were eyeing the throne a bit apprehensively and one or two even quit in a hurry.

Leading India is no child's play and to come up with a measure of success is in itself a big achievement and Sourav did this marvelously well to earn the tag of the best captain India has ever produced. He gave a new lease of life to Indian cricket when millions of fans had started losing faith in their idols and were suspecting and questioning the intentions and the performances of their demigods respectively.

Probably even the young crop of cricketers like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and many more got a platform to showcase their talents under Ganguly, who believed in backing his instincts to the hilt despite the powers that be not taking kindly to his choices many times.

With his persistent aloofness and with a media created image of a spoilt brat it was not easy for Ganguly to find favours during his comeback bids. It was not easy for Ganguly to stomach that he hardly had any friends during his bad times and the few he had were helpless in his fight for justice against an equally arrogant and stub burn Chappell, who had waved his magic wand even on the then selection committee.

Whether the selection committee, headed by former stumper Kiran More, was right or wrong in keeping Ganguly out of the team is a debatable question. But what is true is that it showed the support the southpaw had not just in Kolkata but allover the world and after he announced his retirement , his fans still hoped without hopes that he will change his decision.

Let's wish him lots and lots of happiness as he was one of the few cricketers who could make us (scribes) smile (with his flowing batting) and cry (with his vanishing acts) at the same time.