WHAT NEXT? Sourav Ganguly at the prize distribution ceremony of The Telegraph Schools’ Chess Championship at Gorky Sadan in Calcutta on Monday. Picture by Santosh Ghosh

Calcutta: There are some things to learn from Sourav Ganguly, one being honouring commitments.

Given the circumstances, it wouldn’t have shocked had the former India captain conveyed his regrets and opted out of wearing the chief guest’s hat at The Telegraph Schools’ Chess prize distribution ceremony on Monday evening.

Just three hours earlier, after all, he’d been ignored for the Irani Trophy, a trial match for the forthcoming Test series against Australia.

Sourav, however, kept his date with the kids.

“I skipped the afternoon training session I’d planned, but didn’t want to disappoint the children,” he remarked during the course of his 65-minute stay at the Gorky Sadan.

In his speech, among other things, Sourav made the point that there are “no guarantees in sport.”

A telling observation, really.

Having been the chief guest twice before, in 1996 (soon after his sensational Test debut) and in 1999 (after a successful World Cup), Sourav knew that obliging fans would be par for the course.

It wasn’t any different this time and he was most touched when one of the girls (a prize winner in the main category) said: “You’ve been such an inspiration…”

Another winner, this time a boy, requested that he get to play cricket alongside his icon.

Grinning, Sourav responded: “I’d rather play chess with you! One won’t have to worry about certain things…”

Checkmate, shall we say?