Former India players and cricket administrators hailed Sourav Ganguly's return to the Indian Test team for the South Africa series.

Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya, who had appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India to recall the former India captain, said: "It's a very good decision. I welcome it. Sourav got back his place by dint of merit."

He added: ''This is a welcome change for the side. The low morale could be boosted with the presence of senior players.''

Former selection committee chairman Kiran More too welcomed Ganguly's inclusion.

''The selection committee has taken a very good decision by bringing back Sourav. There is no one to lend solidity to the middle order and he would be the right person. If he can prove himself, he would be right back into the one-day squad,'' he added.

Talking about VVS Laxman's appointment as vice-captain, More said, "This is a good message sent by the board. Sehwag will have to be cautious about his performance."

Ashok Malhotra, another former India Test player, said, "It's a kind of a baptism by fire for Ganguly. He has been given an opportunity under very tough conditions. He will have to perform on the bouncy tracks of South Africa.

"It's not that the selection has come easily. It's just because the middle-order was absolutely vacant that they had to take Ganguly."