Overdoing it

Anil Kumble did not get his due.-PTI

Enough is enough! The media have gone overboard in analysing the so-called `Calypso Debacle.' They are projecting the entire Indian team as villain. When India failed in the pre-Olympic qualifiers in football, no one was bothered. Our hockey debacle was taken lightly. We were the kings of the game once upon a time. No tears were shed on the hockey team's disastrous tours.

But when it comes to cricket, the whole nation is agitated. The media need to strike a balance between a contest and obsession.

Reporting events of national importance should take precedence instead of wasting time on discussions and debates over India's failure in the World Cup.

Pachu Menon, Margao, Goa* * *A champion bowler

With the retirement of Anil Kumble from the one-dayers, India has lost a stout-hearted star who sweated it out to do his country proud.

As S. Dinakar has rightly pointed out, his omission from India's key matches in the World Cup shows how shabbily this champion bowler was treated. I also agree with the author that Kumble was unfairly made to sit out on the pretext of "team balance". Apart from being a dependable bowler, Kumble should be remembered for his courageous cameos with the bat.

He, along with his State-mate Srinath, won India a crucial match in the 1996 Titan Cup against Australia at the Chinnswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

Evangelin Dale Nathan, HyderabadProfound observation

I appreciate your coverage of the ongoing World Cup. One statement by S. Ram Mahesh about New Zealand was particularly well written: "New Zealand continues to be greater than the sum of its parts" (Sportstar, April 7). What a profound observation!

A star-studded Indian cricket team should specially take note of this. We perform much, much lesser than the sum of the parts on a consistent basis.

Having three batsmen with over 10,000 plus runs in the batting order we could not last 50 overs or make 250 in two out of the three games.

The selectors should bring in players such as J. P. Yadav, Ramesh Powar for the forthcoming tour of Bangladesh. Star power is of no use when it does not get translated into winning power.

Duke Jonathan Jeyaraj, HyderabadAwe-inspiring show

I refer to the article `Collingwood makes the difference' (Sportstar, April 7). It was an awe-inspiring performance under pressure. England has several gifted players but Collingwood is special.

P. Madhumitha, Kalpakkam, ChennaiGive the mantle to Ganguly

Rahul Dravid lacked aggression on the field though he is a great batsman. History has shown that great batsmen are not always great skippers. Why not give the captaincy to Sourav Ganguly? During his tenure as captain he had proved that he was an able leader.

M. S. Ram Gopal, Gulbarga