Letters

Rajdhani Express

Sir, — Congratulations to Virender Sehwag on becoming the fastest Indian cricketer to reach 3,000 Test runs, bettering Mohammad Azharuddin's record. He is a natural stroke-maker at the top of the order. His strike rate is very high, which is laudable. It would be apt to call him the Rajdhani Express as he hails from the Capital and scores briskly.

P. Kannan, SrivilliputturAn icon indeed

Sir, — After his stupendous performance in the recent Test series against Pakistan, Anil Kumble has once again proved that he is one of the finest Indian cricketers. A gentleman on and off the field, he has never showed his emotions when, on numerous occasions, he was overlooked, sidelined or given a raw deal. He bounced back time and again and his bowling did all the talking. At 34, he still has the fire in him. He is an icon of Indian cricket and let's hope he gets his 500th Test wicket soon.

M. Fazal, ChennaiSizzling display

Sir, — It was a sizzling batting display by Inzamam-ul-Haq who destroyed the Indian bowling with his phenomenal strokeplay and attacking cricketing shots. This would rank among his best as it came in his 100th Test and as a captain. Younis Khan, too, was at his brilliant best. It was foolish on the part of Aamer Sohail to comment that Inzamam was an underachiever for Pakistan. Inzamam's commitment to Pakistan cricket can never be doubted.

D. Giridhar, ChennaiWorthy successor

Sir, — This is with reference to the profile of Kamran Akmal by S. Dinakar in The Sportstar dated March 26, 2005. When his team was facing defeat, Akmal came up with a superb century in the Mohali Test. He not only saved his team from difficulty but also cemented his place in the Pakistani side beyond any doubt. By showcasing his immense talent he has proved that he is a worthy successor to such illustrious stumpers as Imtiaz Ahmed, Wasim Bari, Rashid Latif and Moin Khan. The youngster has a bright future.

Jyotiranjan Biswal, Durgapur, OrissaNot fair

Sir, — The fine imposed on L. Balaji by the match referee for excessive appealing in the first Test match between India and Pakistan at Mohali raises the question whether a bowler who genuinely believes that he has got the batsman out whenever he thinks so, has no right to appeal and whether there is any restriction on the number of appeals in an over or a match. Everyone knows that nowadays Test match umpires make a huge fortune and adjudication of appeals irrespective of their number, is part of their job. But if they object to too many appeals, they are like the judges complaining of too many cases coming before them for trial, which they are required to adjudicate.

Balaji has done no harm to cricket but the same cannot be said of the umpires and ICC officials backing them who have taken action against the bowler.

K. P. Ramesh Bhose, Kannur