The Platinum Jubilee ODI between two of the finest cricket teams in the world was a great thriller that went close to touching 6OO runs ! What a perfect setting ! A galaxy of top class current cricketers on either side; two very astute and much loved and respected skippers in Saurav and Inzamam ; many former captains and players and a good enthusiastic crowd coming to enjoy the contest. Injuries, dew and such factors are beyond the control of umpires, players or the captains. The ICC telephonic conference connecting renowned input providers stationed in different continents is a marvellous step by the game's highest governing body. Team India skipper Saurav Ganguly has represented his case well and we are pleased with his polished, dignified and elegant manners. Such type of leaders we need to have in our vast country in every walk of life. Well done Saurav ! A great verdict by the ICC. This incredible little event will remain and be remembered as an interesting part of our Platinum Jubilee celebrations ! Great to see Saurav Ganguly leading Team India against South Africa on his home ground at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkota. Good luck to Saurav and his highly talented squad !
Ganguly was on the field and was quite busy trying to defend a total - 292 runs. He had to focus on various things which included the 'over rate' also. However the Match Referee whose job it was to make very acurate notes of the 'stoppages' seems to have botched up! How else can one explain his action if what he took into account was less than what Ganguly could explain on appeal? The whole thing smells of arrogance or is it inefficiency, on the part of the Match Referee.
The lifting of the ban,imposed on Sourav Ganguly by ICC,vindicates the stand of Sourav & BCCI that time was lost not wasted during Pakistan innings of the recent ODI in Kolkata. That Sourav got justice is a good news for right-minded people, but bad news for narrow-minded creatures.Kirti Azad criticized Ganguly strongly in the aftermath of the ban imposition. Had this criticism come from person like Gavaskar, then it would deserve some thought. Kirti has a batting average of 11.25 in ODI & 14.15 in Test. Kirti Azad was an 'allrounder' who could neither bat nor bowl, whereas Sourav's achievement is quite phenomenal. Moreover, as a captain he is the most successful. How dare Kirti make such stupid comments? Perhaps out of jeolousy,or inferiority complex. The ban lifting from Sourav shows Kirti in poor light. Javagal Srinath once said that he has seen no nasty politics in the Indian dressing-room during last 4 years (i.e. under Sourav's captaincy), which was not the case before. Ajay Jadeja recently said that in the last 50 years no captain has done so much for Indian Cricket like Sourav and that the way Sourav backs the youngsters is incredible. Best of luck to Sourav & Team India!!
RE:Best of luck to Ganguly
by Vijay on Nov 28, 2004 04:38 AM
Kirti Azad was born with "A silver Spoon". Yes he is a son of a Politician. He also managed to become one. Is it not enough if you are OR were an MP for the TV Camera men to crowd you? What ever he blurts is News! He is not alone in this Country. And to add insult to injury the Camera Crowd is also on the increase. Chetan Chauhan is another Cricketer who holds all sorts of records but not one Test Century! See the "Stupid Dances" of Sidhu on Star - ESPN. He is now a STAR himself, since he is portrayed as one by these Cameras from TV Channels! It is OUR MONEY that makes all these Comic Scenes.
Congrats Sourav!! I think it was time to show to the ICC and its illustrious match referee that they should analyse and think more before making such drastic action.
But like many, I will be outraged if I see M.Kaif being dropped again to accommodate Sourav. Come on everyone!!! Kaif is in much better batting form than Sourav and is thousand times better fielder than Sourav. Do not be unfair to Kaif. It will affect Indian team morale. I hope good sense will prevail. Dear Sourav: step aside for Kaif.
I am very happy about this outcome. Of late, Match Referees are going berserk against Indian players, while players from other countries, especially Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England get away with murder. It is time BCCI takes up issues strongly with ICC to safeguard the interest of Indian Players.
I am very much appreciating the decision of Mr.Kastle. As a Bengali captain of Indian Cricket team I always want that Ganguly will be play in Eden Test. I also want that India will be win this test match. Kumble,Sachin will be reached their records at our Eden garden.
I think its a good lesson for Clive Lloyd who just wanted to impose his bossiness. We all saw on TV how the conditions were in Calcutta that evening. Its about time world sees why west-indians are behaving in this way against Indians. Steve Bucknor and Clive LLOYD dont what grudge they have. As far as Sourav, i will say some former crickters without taking names (associated with media) have criticised the best captain we had in history.
The whole episode is a drama.Just a carrot & stick treatment.If ICC has lifted the ban,then the clive loyd's judgement was wrong.So,you must penalise clive loyd in the first place.
