Roles changed, goal the same: Ganguly

It seems like life has come a full circle for Sourav Ganguly [Images] as he left the Indian shores for the twin tours of Ireland and England [Images].

Eleven years ago he made his famous Test debut in England, when he scored a century in his first two Tests.

In 2002, under his captaincy, India earned plaudits after they drew the four-Test series 1-1.

And, now, five years hence, in what could probably be his last visit to England, he will need to prove that he still has a few years at the top left in him.

"It's a good place to tour," he told rediff.com hours before the team's departure from Mumbai. "It's a good opportunity for anyone because when you perform in England it gets noticed."

Even though his century on debut was more than a decade ago, Ganguly still cherishes that knock, a sparkling innings of 131 in the second Test at Lord's. "That century was a long time ago, it has been nearly 11 years," he says.

Ganguly, who will turn 35 on July 8, points out how the roles have changed for him on every outing to the Blighty. After his amazing comeback in South Africa last December, he has emerged as India's most reliable batsman. He had been dropped from the Indian team early 2006 after a string of low scores; he also lost the captaincy to Rahul Dravid [Images].

"The last time I was captain, but the goals are the same. I hope I can do well and the team can do well," he says.

Ganguly insists he has no regrets on not being the captain on this tour of England. "Obviously it's different, it means less responsibility," he adds.

He refuses to compare the current Indian team from the one that last visited England and believes this team has the potential to do well.

"Every team is different. I don't think you should compare teams. The important thing is to do well everytime you go," he says.

India's last Test series victory in England came in 1986 when they won a three-Test series 2-0 under Kapil Dev's [Images] captaincy.

Ganguly must hope he can sign off his last outing in England with a Test series victory, something Indian cricket fans have been waiting for 21 years.