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This was without a doubt Ganguly's match. And it began on that note. Gambhir had the guts to start with Vettori at one end. Though finally Vettori did show his class and got Ganguly to a beautifully disguised slow turner, it was not before Sourav scored the 3rd half-century in this IPL.

There is nothing better in a team than a confident captain. Particularly when the character in question is Sourav Ganguly. His optimism and energy has an electrifying effect on the team. One run-out at a time when the game was steadily slipping out of his grip, a sharp catch to follow it up with and a couple of superb on-field efforts to back up a solid 56, Sourav raised his game today. He had to, to stay afloat, barely so in this edition of IPL.

Ashok Dinda's performance today should ensure that he plays the rest of the IPL. His first over was delightful and heart-warming, if you are an Indian supporter. The first four balls were at the right length with steadily increasing pace and pegged back David Warner. The fifth ball crashed into the off-stump sending Eden Gardens into a frenzy. It was exactly the start Ganguly wanted from his opening bowler. Dinda finished with 2 for 21 of 4, a commendable feat when you are bowling to the likes of Sehwag and Gambhir.

Ajantha Mendis, an inspirational choice by Ganguly seemed to be another case of mistaken selection. But as it turns out in some days, whatever you do pays off, this one did. Mendis got Collingwood, the in-form player of Delhi cheap with a ball that turned nearly square. Iqbal Abdullah preferred over the 2nd most economical bowler in IPL III - Murali Kartik, initially got a bit of stick from Sehwag. Yet, the youngster kept his nerve at the tense later stage of the match, the 16th and 18th over going for 7 and 4 runs respectively. On top of that a run-out of his own bowling. Two changes in the bowling department of the team and both paying rich dividends.

Kolkata's batting has been pretty consistent batting first, except for the Mumbai match. Yet, the lacklustre middle overs when Ganguly and Gayle got out in quick succession could have hurt them. Why not grab the chance and bat the opposition out when the situation is ripe? Mathews and Manoj did finish well picking up 27 in the last two overs but that assault should have started about 3 overs earlier.

The Knights next take on Bangalore and Chennai - two of most formidable teams who took a bit of time to get started this IPL but has only got better over time. For Sourav, if he wants to make this IPL a memorable one, the job has just begun. And he would need all of his skills and luck to make that happen.