Captain Sourav Ganguly joined the Indian cricket team on Thursday ahead of the first Test against South Africa starting at Kanpur on Saturday.

Ganguly has been suspended for two matches by the International Cricket Council after the team's a slow over rate during the Platinum Jubilee one-day international against Pakistan in Kolkata last week.

It was the second time in 12 months India had committed such an offence under the leadership of Ganguly, a Level 2 offence under ICC's Code of Conduct for captains. The regulations, however, allow him to play until his appeal was adjudicated on.

The ICC has appointed New Zealand lawyer Tim Castle to hear Ganguly's appeal against the ban. The skipper headed straight to the pitch upon arrival at the Green Park ground.

He then had a light practice session during which he batted for 15-20 minutes.