Whatever way you want to look at it, India have many jewels in her crown. On closer examination some are not so obvious yet are brighter than others.

India, you soon learn, is far more than images of the munificent Taj Mahal and the romance that goes with it, Bollywood hype, colourful salwars and

saris and multi-millionaires, even in a global sense.

Yet, it is the real heroes who are those that lift the nation and give it a purpose and an identity.

When he was once asked the question what is it like to play in a 100 Tests, Geoff Boycott, that veteran of acerbic comment and technical ability suggested it took a lot of 'very hard work'. Even to reach that level required more than incredible self-belief. It needed tremendous skill and ability as well and a single-minded focus.

Not even Greg Chappell though could destroy the confidence and durability as well as sheer single mindedness that Sourav Ganguly has and whose precocious talent was obvious from a young age.

A recent British-based publication rated Ganguly 46th out of the world's top 50 players - one behind Graeme Smith and two lower on the scale than Harbhajan Singh. Why, even Shahid Afridi earned a higher ranking. And reading through the media this past week as Ganguly's 100th Test loomed, there are many in India who sneeringly suggest that Dada is lucky to reach this landmark; they would prefer if the public row with Chappell had ended his career prematurely.

Only, you cannot keep a genuine champion down, as many would have with Ganguly. Or, as Rahul Dravid once explained, 'On the off-side, first there is God then there is Ganguly'. Which is an appropriate assumption.

Yet no one can take away from him that he has been India's most popular captain. But after the Chappell row, he refused to go quietly, he had that cathartic tour of England last year and the many who grudgingly admire his ability, do so with a serious backhanded slap. And when you look at those who continually write him off, you seriously wonder if it is a hate campaign carried to extremes.

Yet here is a man who after that nightmare 1991/92 tour of Australia and was rejected for no real reason, but shoved his bat under the selectors nose with a brilliant century at Lord's in 1996 on his debut. You had to admire his style and craft for scoring runs in that particular cauldron. Batting at three he scored 131 out of what was 296 for six when he was dismissed after batting for more than seven hours.

His critics, of course, have all been there and earned the T-Shirt, so to speak; they know what it is like to maintain a batting average in the 40s in Tests and limited overs. Why, he even gave up his first love, football to concentrate on a cricket career and Test cricket is about the biggest mind game of any sport.

Labels such as Lord Snooty and the Prince of Kolkata are the sort of misplaced branding you get when others don't quite appreciate the self confidence that goes with it.

It is claimed he is a very spiky old dog, one who didn't plan to ride off into the sunset under the Chappell cloud. Why, it was suggested he came back for more, is the sort of doubting image that India's media want the public to remember of Ganguly. He has had to overcome many prejudices to achieve a dream - 100 Test caps. His feisty leadership skills makes him about as close to being an Australian as you might find in the Indian side.

Any discussion with him is revealing of the man: he comes across as a suave, highly sophisticated and erudite personality. It shows that he has the capabilities to bounce back and deservingly earn that 100th Test cap. It was quiet an emotional, poignant moment at the MCG where he stood between Sachin Tendulkar and Dravid.

He is a very proud Bengali and admitted once, a couple of years ago when In Sri Lanka on tour, that he wanted to see more from Kalkota earn Test caps. Conversation skirted the compelling issues of the day during that Indian Oil series on the island. But he showed all the passion and determination; was always polite and amazingly for the image he has at times, mild mannered.

But to get to 100 Tests and to do it against Australia is an achievement. He knew what he had to do to get this far. It needed a resilient mind and determination. Or, as Boycott said, it requires a lot of hard work and putting up with abuse, some of it the way the Australians dish it out.

There is a dreamy picture of his batting in this Melbourne Test, his classic off-side shots. It is what you remember most about his style of play as it captures the essence of his batsmanship, care and attention to detail. That's Dada for you.

- Trevor Chesterfield