Sourav Ganguly is upbeat over Shoaib Akhtar being allowed to play in the Indian Premier League and hopes his struggling side can turn things around quickly.

“He was in our scheme of things initially, and after having had to make do without him in all these games, it’s good to know that he is joining the team,” Ganguly told Hindustan Times.

“Having said that, it’s equally important to realise that no individual can turn things around dramatically. For our team to succeed, everyone has to do well. Many matches are still left to be played and I don’t think any team should be written off at this moment.”

Kolkata have managed just two wins from six games and Shoaib’s arrival would no doubt be a fillip to their preparations for their home match against Bangalore on Thursday. However question marks continue to remain over Shoaib’s fitness and John Bucanan, Kolkata’s coach, has insisted on a fitness test. The team is scheduled to play a practice match on Wednesday and Shoaib’s performance there could decide on his being picked.

Shoaib arrived in Kolkata last night. “I’m really happy to be here and the Eden Gardens is my favourite ground,” he said. “It’s the ground which made my career when I got Sachin Tendulkar out on the first ball. It’s been good to me and I love the ground … The crowd is fantastic.

“As I’ve been under so much of stress, I haven’t been able to train as much as I should have done. But I’m fit. There’s no pain, no niggle. I’ll try to get match fit as fast as possible. Shah Rukh Khan has supported me a lot. He’s been there like a big brother. Has always been so.”

Meanwhile John Buchanan, Kolkata’s coach, said he was approaching Shoaib’s arrival with “an open mind”. “Obviously, Shoaib has a reputation, not only on the field but off it too… There are rules in place and there are ways in which the team has been operating,” he told Kolkata’s Telegraph. “The rules are the same for everybody and there won’t be exceptions, no matter who you are. As long as Shoaib understands what’s in place and abides by the rules, there shouldn’t be any drama.”

Buchanan said he spoke to Geoff Lawson, coach of Pakistan, before the IPL started and was told that Shoaib had never been fitter. “He brings pace to the table and is possibly one of those players who could emerge a Twenty20 specialist because Shoaib won’t have to bowl more than four overs. He could just run in for those four overs and make an impact,” said Buchanan. “Pace is pretty important [and] one of the things we’re looking for in the team is for somebody to stand up and have a presence. We could get that out of somebody like a Brad Hodge or a Salman Butt. Equally, someone like Shoaib brings a presence; whether he plays or not, there’s a real buzz around him.”

Asked about his approach towards Shoaib, Buchanan said: “That these are my expectations from you and I’m sure you’ve got expectations of me. That this is how the team operates, that these are the values we hold dear. Welcome to the Knight Riders, but there are no special rules for anybody.”

© Cricinfo

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Poets have written many a verse about inspirational and enigmatic smiles. The elusive â??perfect smileâ?, which has in past generations been limited to the luck of genetics, is now available to everyone. Cosmetic dentistry has removed all barriers to ownership of dazzling smiles. As more and more men and women get more conscious about their smile, cosmetic dentists are offering increasingly varied services. Whether a childhood fall that led to chipping off of that incisor, those gallons of black coffee devoured while burning midnight oil, or the once 32 dwindling in numbers due to a parasite invasion popularly called â??cavitiesâ?? – everything can be corrected with one (or several) swooshes of the cosmetic dentistâ??s wand. But remember that it isnâ??t always cheap. Depending on the procedure, you may feel your pocket lighter by one to several thousand dollars. Some of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures include bonding of front teeth, whitening of yellow teeth, and using tooth-colored fillings, which almost blend in with the natural color of teeth. However there are still many more that exist. So, here is a list of some key cosmetic dental procedures that can help your smile dazzle: Bleaching or whitening â?? Both the enamel and the underlying tooth structure (the dentine) are not impervious to stains, and often yellow over time. Bleaching is a popular method for treating moderately stained or discolored teeth. Here the dentist makes a mold of your teeth to make a custom â??mouthtrayâ??. This â??mouthtrayâ?? is filled with bleaching material and is pressed against the tooth surface without letting it come in contact with the gum tissue. The tray is generally worn for up to 2 hours a day. A noticeable improvement can be seen within 2 weeks. Bonding â?? Here the dentist ‘bonds’ a tooth colored resin onto the tooth in order to repair a fractured or worn or chipped tooth. This process can also cover up a discoloration on a tooth, or close a small space or gap between two teeth. The dentist coats the tooth with a bonding liquid and then shines a light on the tooth to set it. All this is done after he prepares the tooth by etching it. A putty-like material is then placed on the tooth which is then made into the desired shape. A trim and polish later, the end product is ready to steal a heart. And the best part is that it will be 3 to 5 years before the bonding may need to be repaired. Veneering – Porcelain laminate veneers do the same job as bonding does, only it is a stronger way to repair a broken tooth. Veneering can also cover up discoloration and even change the shape or size of your teeth. The process comes with the advantage that the luster will not be lost. Recontouring uneven teeth – This is basically a procedure to reshape an uneven tooth so that it’s a better match with the entire set. Braces – Braces are a very common method of changing one’s appearance. An orthodontist who is involved with diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems caused by poorly positioned teeth prepares and attaches the braces. These braces come as fixed or removable appliances. The idea is to use this appliance to gently move the teeth and bone until they are in a desirable position. The process may take anywhere between 18 months to 30 months (or sometimes even longer) for the desired result.

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