Congrats to Freddie

Let me compliment you on the new format, news selection, coverage and design of Sportstar. No doubt, the changed format is in keeping with the modern trend in sports journalism, interests, habits and tastes. It is now a beautiful, colourful and neat magazine. Congratulations to you for this new innovation.

Coming to the India-England Test series, which ended recently at the Wankhede Stadium, it was a meek surrender by the Indians. Congratulations to Freddie Flintoff and his young team for their magnificent effort in outplaying India in all departments of the game and squaring the series with a fine win by 212 runs.

K. Sivaraman, ChennaiIn defence of Dravid

In hindsight, it is very easy to criticise Indian skipper Rahul Dravid for choosing to field first in the Mumbai Test after wining the toss. However, many of us armchair critics need to give full credit to Dravid's bold initiatives since he took over the mantle from Sourav. Have we forgotten the frequent changes in the batting order in ODIs to keep the opponents guessing? The captain is consistent with the bat and his constant encouragement of the youngsters has made them put their best foot forward.

Dravid may not deserve bouquets for his decision to field first in Mumbai. But, if Team India has to stand tall in World Cup 2007, then `The Wall' has to be at the helm of its affairs.

Suresh Manoharan, HyderabadWhat about More?

Unwittingly or otherwise, there appears to be a pincer movement against Sourav Ganguly by coach Greg Chappell and Kiran More, the Chairman of the Selection Committee.

Ganguly has done reasonably well with the bat recently. Greg Chappell is accusing Ganguly of clinging on to captaincy for monetary gains.

Kiran More has not done justice either to his position or his cricketing acumen by first declaring that the door is still open for Ganguly and then losing no time in slamming it on the former captain's face, saying his days are over.

While the BCCI has rightly acted on Ganguly's written complaint against Chappell by asking him to restrain his speeches to the media, Kiran More has been let off scot-free for humiliating Ganguly.

K. P. Ramesh Bhose, KannurDisgusting

The manner in which India lost the Mumbai Test was disgusting. Was getting bowled out for 100 the Indian team's way of paying tribute to captain Rahul Dravid for playing his 100th Test? Dravid also deserves criticism for his decision to bowl first.

Coach Chappell deserves a lot of flak for India's poor performance. His adherence to the `Australian Way' has not helped Team India in Test matches.

Probably, the only right thing done by the coach was to dump an out of form Ganguly from the Indian team. However, the criteria of picking a team based on form should be applied equally to all players. Harbhajan and Sachin have been out of form for a long time in Test matches but still they are part of the Indian team.

Kiran More has done a miserable job as Chairman of the Selection Committee.

It seems More and the wise men want England to win the ODI series because they have dropped Anil Kumble despite his improved batting and brilliant bowling in the Test series.

The selection of five medium pacers for an ODI series in India is also appalling.

Sourav deserved to go. But More and Chappell also deserve to lose their jobs.

Sunil Nambiar, Mumbai