Sir, — This is in response to the article titled `Clock is ticking fast for a remarkable leader' in the issue of The Sportstar dated April 9, 2005. I would have welcomed a cricketing analysis of Ganguly's failings as a captain by the writer, Peter Roebuck. But instead, the writer has decided to take personal potshots at the Indian captain. There was no need to furnish details such as Ganguly living in a separate hotel while playing a friendly against Australia. This detail has no relevance to the main point the writer makes that Ganguly should be dropped as captain. Agreed, this incident may have prejudiced the Australian team, and perhaps the Australian citizens, against Ganguly. But, then, matters of Indian captaincy are not decided based on whether Ganguly has earned the prejudice of the Australian team.
I also find the writer's reference to Ganguly's ancestral wealth beside the point. Indian cricket lovers have had no problems accepting wealthy captains and cricketers, as the case of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi proves, and I do not think Ganguly has been victimised by Indians because of this. And, I find the writer's reference to the `egalitarianism' of the Australians bizarre and comical to say the least.
The next point of disagreement is that it is not enough that Roebuck sweepingly declares that captains are not for life. Ganguly is certainly not captain for life, but there is nothing to suggest that he should be stripped of his captaincy after a drawn Test series in which his side dominated two Tests.
As for the comparison with Steve Waugh, Roebuck should realise that Indians are not as much into the use-and-throw-away consumerist culture like the Australians are. We are a nation which gives a second chance to our sons and daughters and we do not throw them once they have lived their shelf life.
Lastly, I think that Ganguly is a good batsman who is merely going through a bad patch and to compensate for that he has been a fantastic captain.
Ana G, BombayA phenomenonSir, — Sanjay Rajan's appreciation in his piece "Passion for aggression" (The Sportstar, April 2) aptly compliments sensational Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, the most destructive batsman in contemporary cricket. In the recently concluded Test series against the Black Caps his back to back centuries earned him consecutive Man of the Match awards and the Player of the Series award as well. Truly an astonishing feat to achieve, especially playing for the star-studded Australian team.
What makes Gilchrist's achievement praiseworthy is his unique distinction of scoring 15 Test hundreds at Number. seven in the batting order and that too in the company of tailenders.
Asmit Sharma, PatnaDhoni takes the spotlightSir, — Kudos to Mahendra Singh Dhoni for becoming the second wicketkeeper from India to score a century in a one-dayer.
Now, it will be a tussle between Dhoni and Dinesh Kaarthick to find a permanent place in the Test and One-day squad. While Dinesh showed sound temperament at the crease and played with in his limitations, Dhoni displayed his aggressiveness and tormented the rival attack. Both have performed well against Pakistan.
P. Kannan, Srivilliputtur (Tamil Nadu)Butt, Rana corner glorySir, — It was a graceful knock by Salman Butt at Jamshedpur. The youngster is a great boon to the Pakistan top order.
Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who rattled the Indian batting order in that match, deserves every bit of the compliments. He kept his line and length and made the batsmen to commit mistakes.
It was a great victory for Inzamam. The Pakistan captain's quick shuffling of bowlers and field placements have to be complimented.
D. Giridhar, Chennai
Comments
SHARE