Ganguly looks most suspect on current form

Dubai: It's no secret now that India's four ageing batting superstars: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman face their biggest challenge during the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Who among the four should go first or who should pull up his socks and perform at his best to extend his career?

A study into the performances of the top four reveals that if recent records are anything to go by, Rahul Dravid may have to go first.

In 2007, Dravid played in 10 Test matches and scored only 606 runs, the least among the quartet. He averaged only 37.87. In the current year, he played in nine Tests but got 542 runs.

Interestingly, the best from among the four is Sourav Ganguly, despite being talked about as the man who faces the biggest danger of being dropped. In 2007, he scored 1106 runs from 10 Test matches. However in 2008, he got only 459 runs from nine Tests and that could go against him.

Sachin Tendulkar too played in 10 Tests in 2007 for his 776 runs and from the seven Tests in 2008, he got 511 runs.

VVS Laxman, still the unsung hero of Indian cricket, got to play only in eight Test matches in 2007 and scored 496 runs. In 2008, he played in nine Tests and proved his worth with 640 runs. Even during his last innings against Sri Lanka, he remained unconquered with 61 runs.

Lowest average

Tendulkar still leads the overall average having scored 11,877 runs from his 150 Tests with an average of 54.23. He is closely followed by Dravid, who has scored 10,246 runs from 125 Tests at 53.92. Even Laxman who has played 96 Test matches and scored 6000 runs has an average of 43.79.

Ganguly has the lowest average among the four. From 109 Tests, he has scored 6888 runs but his average is 41.74. Moreover, some selectors feel his fitness is also dipping. At 36, he is also the oldest among the big four.

Dravid may still be considered because he has maintained his fitness. He is the second oldest at 35 and is only 104 days older than Tendulkar. Even in his last innings, he hit 68.

Tendulkar too is 35 but of late, niggling injuries have been forcing him to miss matches.

At 33, Laxman is the youngest but being not quick enough on the field can still go against him.

Sourav Ganguly

Age: 36 years 90 days

Tests: 109

Runs: 6888

Average: 41.74

In 2007: Ten Tests, 1106 runs

In 2008: Nine Tests, 459 runs.

VVS Laxman

Age: 33 years 340 days

Tests: 96, Runs 6000

Average: 43.79

In 2007: Eight Tests, 496 runs

In 2008: Nine Tests, 640 runs

Sachin Tendulkar

Age: 35 years 165 days

Tests: 150

Runs: 11,877

Average: 54.23

In 2007: Ten Tests, 776 runs

In 2008: Seven Tests, 511 runs

Rahul Dravid

Age: 35 years 269 days

Tests: 125

Runs: 10,246

Average: 53.92

In 2007: Ten Tests, 606 runs

In 2008: Nine Tests, 542 runs