Old tigers dont die gracefully. When in youth, they rule their territory with tigerish authority and ferocity. When they become old, they become weak, their fangs fall out, face competition from young tigers and live their final years in solitude. The famed Bengal Tiger, Sourav Chandidas Ganguly doesnt seem to be an exception.

His fangs have fallen out. The famed offdrive has become rare. Those long innings riddled with sixes over longoff and longon against the off spinners have become rare. Gone are the days of the long opening partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar. Some cubs out of which he manufactured match winning tigers dont like to see him in the team any more. A much older tiger who has been authorised to coach the young tigers in the team has made his opinions on the Tiger known to the authorities. As of now, he's out of the team and possibilities of making a come back are remote considering the number of young tigers waiting to roar into the team.

Yes. Bad fielder, hates bouncers, doesnt drag his bat into the crease, behavioural problems etc. but the sight of a tiger at the twilight of a majestic and eventful career is a heartrending one, irrespective of whether he's a good tiger or a bad tiger.

But an old tiger is never to be underestimated, for an old tiger is still a tiger.