To see what happened at Kolkatta was disappointing. First of all, hope everyone knows that only those who show good form coupled with consistency merit a place in any team, forget cricket. Even the great Jayasurya was dumped after being given many chances.
Well, Ganguly had his good times but he has fallen back on account of his inconsistency. At the international level, how can a team afford to carry such a player with it irrespective of his reputation?
Bengalis still haven't mastered the art of being cheerful supporters. Wonder if it would have been egg on their faces had India won that day. But, its never going to happen with that kind of an alien pitch. All home teams would love to use home advantage to the maximum to get a physcological edge. But, in Kolkatta due to unfair reasons, something strange in cricket history happened.
The loud mouthed south africans needed to be thrashed on the field but they were given the privelege of crowd support, not because they played great cricket that day but due to the fact that they were steamrollering an Indian team minus dada. Well, to be honest Ganguly is always a good Test player than an ODI player.It was shame on the crowd.
Dear Mr Dravid---it is really unfortunate to see a person like you to lie---which we all know is a fact ans witnessed by many (\'Greg chappel pointing middle finger towards the cricketing fans\')---by saying all these you are simply trying to play dirty politics and redirecting the controversy towards kolkatans----we all kolkatans respect you and you know it very well--you got the standing ovation when you came to bat---did not you? but you simply failed to stand up to the expectation of many spectators----cricket is like that---many years ago when you repeatedly failed to score runs, fans all over the india wanted you to leave---they simply disliked you---but you excelled and you are one of the finest crickets of all time in India and some of the same people are a great fan of yours---so you see, this is the volatile nature of indian crickters---we all kolkatans want to see India win all the matches----never try to say that we are not patriotic---we love our country and country comes first and we will do whatever to respect and protect our motherland---nobody needs to remind us about that responsibility and utmost duty---but we will also protest if we see something wrong.
RE:\'kolkata hostility unfortunate\'
by madhu on Nov 29, 2005 08:33 PM
Hello u r mistaken i think ganguly had enough chances for 2 years.and i hope u got for past 2 yrs ganguly has been given chances he didnt utilised it.if sachin dos the same for a long period i dont think he willbe spared either no body is bigger than game. Keep in mind my frnd and think broadly.
RE:\'kolkata hostility unfortunate\'
by Rajeev on Nov 29, 2005 02:22 PM
Anindo - you are so wrong - you are all over the place. Read - Dravid's statement carefully - he has not lied.
The Kolkatta crowd booed and harangued Indian players including Dravid - not because of their game - but because Ganguly was not included. MAybe a section of the crowd - was unruly - but no batsman including the great Ganguly can be expected to bat and score everytime. Your justification of crowd behaviour is simply not logical. The fact - is that Kolkattan crowd was parochial and regional - left a very poor taste in every Indian's mouth. You guys are poor losers, and not very sporting. And similar to your brethren in Shiv Sena Mumbai - who dug up the pitch to stop match with Pakistan.
Its a pity that a great player like Ganguly will have to live down bad behaviour from his home crowd.
One must not forget how the cricket fans are tolerating the vulgar behavior of the coach.Dravid should also realise that if he can comment on the spectator's reaction why doesn't he comment on the coach's behaviour?Cricket is like a religion in India as Wasim Akram said. Nobody can tolerate the monopoly of the team management in ignoring Saurav and instead play Sachin to cost India a match.Is Sachin being defended? What has happened to Saurav should also happen to Sachin and Sehwag.'Practice what you preach.' Dravid is a good gentleman but if he also plays into the tricks of dirty politics he shall be wrong.Play the match with your merit and then demand the respect.Are the players coming to see their favourite stars get out for cheap scores and instead watch them doing ads in the TV.Sorry! one cannot do that. Dr.Srijit Das New Delhi
Dear Indians, When it comes to the wider perspective, what happened in Kolkota is a shame for the Kolkotans themselves. The regional interest should be subdued in national interest. Y only Ganguly, there are other players like Kumble and Lakshman who were not selected for the ODI side.The Kolkta Cricket assciation should be suspended for a certain time period, which should come as reminder for everybody else. Kolkota was always in the problematic side, The Gavaskar issue, the 1996 world cup semis all show that. WE ARE ALL INDIANS, KEEP IT IN MIND dear KOLKOTANS.To rahul dravid and his team, Go on, leave back Kolkota, whole of India is backing you and your team
The kolkota match
by bibhu on Nov 29, 2005 09:38 AM
What Happened in Kolkata was really unfortunate. People should be aware of the fact that individual or Regional cause should be always ignored when it comes to a Nation. First we are INDIANS ... Then comes everything else !!!! One more thing I would like to say that (On one messege on Subhas )Subhash ( The national Hero , The Creator of Azad Hind Fauz) Was not from bengal. He was from Cuttack, ORISSA .
RE:kolkata match
by Meghadoot Chaudhuri on Nov 29, 2005 01:41 PM
A few years back when Sachin had a collision with Shoyaib Akhtar, the same crowd became unruly, but in favour of Sachin. Don't forget that and don't try to see an incident with one eye.
The simple explanation is Bengalee crowd is more emotional. Don't try to see anything more in it. Every peoperty of a community has its positive and negative manifestations. That's all.
Hostility is not a suitable word , this will create adverse reaction.
One question strikes me quite often. When will Dravid grow up to become No. 1. On Paper he is No. 1 But he still prefers to be No. 2. as in the past.
During Team Selection Mr. Chappel comes out with a list, Mr. Dravid says he will be happy with whatever team the selector selects. You read any newspaper the present team is referred as Greig' team. Final 11 is also selected by Greig and also the batting order is decided by Greig . I wish Mr. Dravid grows up fast and take Charge- TEAM INDIA WILL BE BENIFITTED.
RE:rejoinder
by daisy on Nov 29, 2005 09:56 AM
So what's ur prob ? The only thing that matters is India wins. Ur comments only suggest u r jealous of Greg.
RE:Most likely reaction
by Sushanth on Nov 29, 2005 08:16 PM
I am sure u are a bengali thats why uarea saying that. Please stop blaming dravid for anything and start admitting that the kolkata crowd are sore loosers. For them its about ganguly not the indian team and when it comes to cricket its about bengal not the country. Please dont tell me about this happening elsewhere. VVS laskhman, balaji, zaheer and parthiv come from different states but not one of those states put up a show like the way u shamless kolkatans did. Sentiments are one thing, but there is a certain line for that too. In 1996 world cup, I thought what happened in kolkata could have happened in any part of the country. How wrong was I. Now with this incident I have lost all respect for bengalis. Even if they become a part of bangladesh it won't make any difference to me anymore. They are no longer considered indians to me.
It's really unfortunate that Rahul Dravid, a man who is well-known for his strong character could make such a loose remark. Just one day before the match begun, he told the press that most of his fan mails come from Kolkata. And within 24 hours, he spinned completely to 180 degree and made such poor statements. Actually the most unfortunate thing is that he could not face the fact that indian team was completely outplayed by south africa. The crowd of eden garden was always very spirited & sporting...like they were in the match. They always cheered to good performence..whether for india or sa. And Dravid should know that. One more unfortunate thing is the "Finger Gesture" by Chappel...he not only did that but also made an insult to all the cricket fans of bengal as well as india.And the poor thing is that our whole cricket think-tank supported that. Hat's of to our Chappel-India!!
Yes the hostility was unfortunate.It shd not be left here.Calcutta shgould not be given International Fixtures as a Punishment.Firstly it is an aninational gesture.The People of india are not surprised,they follow their Communist ideologists except their Chief Minister.Saurav has been given upteen chances.If he is not up the Mark,his fans cabnt make him a performer.The best eleven shd play. It was a very bad say for all the eleven players.
