India captain Sourav Ganguly is optimistic about playing in the second and final Test against South Africa after giving evidence to an appeal hearing into his two-match ban on Thursday.

Ganguly was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) because of his side's slow over rate in a one-day international against Pakistan at Kolkata on November 13. He has been named in a 14-man squad for the Test pending the result of the appeal.

"It was a very long telephonic conference and it went well. I'm hopeful," Ganguly told reporters after the hearing conducted by New Zealand lawyer Tim Castle.

"We'll come to know only by tomorrow. It's the ICC's decision. It looked very good and I hope everything works out."

The match starts in Kolkata, Ganguly's home town, on Sunday.

He was allowed to play in the first Test which ended in a draw in Kanpur on Wednesday because his appeal against match referee Clive Lloyd's suspension could not be heard in time.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid will take over the captaincy if the appeal is dismissed.