Ganguly looks for form in lead-up match

MUMBAI, India - Beleaguered Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly will play for the Board President's XI against Australia in Delhi next week as he seeks to find some form and regain his grip on the captaincy ahead of the second Test in his home town of Calcutta.

Ganguly, who made nine runs in the first Test, has played little domestic cricket since the Test series against Zimbabwe in December.

"I requested the selectors to let me play the match. It's basically to get some match practice," Ganguly said.

Chairman of selectors Chandu Borde agreed to make a spot for Ganguly in the team, which will be about the same strength as the India A team Australia met in the tour opener in Nagpur.

Legspinner Narendra Hirwani, picked in the Test squad but left behind the ropes, will also play.

In the end, the match in Delhi could be more beneficial for the Indians than the Australians with Borde saying the match could be a trial for places in the second Test team.

He blasted the first Test batsmen for "caving in without a fight" and the bowlers for "some unimaginative bowling".

"Now we will have to look ahead and make the necessary changes after watching the three-day match between the Board President's XI and the Australians."

Ganguly is in desperate need of some good form, especially as his captaincy - still in its infancy - has been slammed by the Indian media.

The main criticism was that Ganguly lacked focus and failed to take decisive action when Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden were pouring on the runs in their match-winning partnership.

Writing in the Indian Express, former Indian leftarm spinner Bishen Bedi said: "The Indian captain was anything but inspirational for his team." The Asian Age added: "Ganguly needs to become more interactive with his team.

"His captaincy ... has been worse than his batting."

Ganguly, known as the Maharaj for his wealth and high-class breeding, has also been attacked for having too many off-field distractions. As a result he has cancelled a roadshow planned by his sponsor Pepsi for Monday.

The Australians, after a day off to nurse their celebratory headaches, were back at Wankhede Stadium today for a final practice session ahead of the flight to Delhi, where they will train on Sunday night.

Most of the team will then take a nerve-jangling road trip of about three hours to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal on Monday.

The match against the Board President's XI starts on Tuesday, with Michael Kasprowicz, Damien Martyn and Colin Miller all expected to play after sitting out the Test match.

The second Test at Eden Gardens, will start on March 11.