Sourav?s criticism: Can Vengsarkar defend himself?

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Avnish Anand

13 October, 2008

If Vengsarkar has a strong cricketing reason for dropping Ganguly and no one else, then he had better come out with it. This is about Indian cricket and we fans also need to know. Do not involve the BCCI to protect yourself

VENGSARKAR, I was a great fan of yours. I thought you were one of the better administrators that the game had seen. I was actually pretty upset with the way you treated Sourav Ganguly - by dropping him for the Irani Tropy match. But then I ignored it in the light of all the other good deeds you had done – I dismissed it as one bad call on your part.

But now that you have responded to Ganguly’s criticism of the selection committee and declared that you will give him "more than what he asked for" at the end of India’s series against Australia, I have also decided to challenge you. You better have a good explanation ready.

Dropping Ganguly was so bad a decision that even Gavaskar was forced to come off his high horse and make a statement in favour of Dada. Your waiting for the series to get over so there is no discord in the team while the matches are on, is nothing but a cheap trick to buy yourself some time. You can have all the time in the world but when you do give Ganguly "more than what he asked for" just make sure you stick to cricket-related stuff and nothing else. Please ensure that you define objectively the yardstick and timeline applied for assessing his performance. Remember to justify the inclusion of the other members of the ‘Fab Four’ based on the same yardstick and timeline. And that goes for Sachin Tendulkar as well. And if you can’t do that, then you are as bad as a placard-carrying member of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

Also don’t resort to the tactic of sending a letter to Manohar or the de-facto BCCI President (Pawar), explaining your actions; or doing what Sreesanth and Harbhajan did – “that it is our personal matter and we have had a private discussion and sorted things out”. I can totally trust the BCCI to do a cover-up job like that. BCCI will wait for the dust to settle down, offer you and Ganguly a carrot each and ask both of you to just shut up. And the matter will be swept under the carpet.

So let me tell you this: this is not a personal matter. This is about Indian cricket and cricket fans need to know what you have to say in your defence. So please don’t fall for the carrot. Call for a press conference whenever you are ready. And then give Ganguly "more than what he asked for" in front of the whole world in very objective terms. If you can’t do that then you’d better apologise. Either way, we are all waiting.

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Commenting System

COMMENTS (12)

mansoor

.It is very simple to see through.Vengsarkar's taking time to reply. He just hoped that Dada will perform poorly so he can give "more than he asked for". I am sorry to say that Dada has given "much more than Vengsarkar asked for" by his performance in the first two tests not by his words only. like Vengsarkar. Sorry Vengi !!!!

Manoj

.I m too in q to wait for Vengsarkar's answer, who virtually ruined the career of DADA n gave setback to INDIAN CRICKET.

��hinaman

.The same Vengsarkar could not wait till the end of the series before "lashing" out at the captain of the team. And he is not even a selector or in management. Are we to believe that it will have no negative effects on the Indian dressing room? One rule when he has to explain himself, but another when not. That is hypocrisy.

abhishek

.great article! if cricket was a reason then SG would not have been dropped. he was the most indian batsman in last year for india faring just after Jack Callis; he was voted as best asian test batsman recently. if form is a matter he should check rahul dravid scores in last one year or Sachins half century draught for last 6 test match! if fitness is a matter then how fit VVS was ever been! so reason of dropping SG was pretty simple. the axe was always there its just SG has failed for first time in last two year,

hghgh

.dogcatbullshit

Sanjay

.Yes, we will all wait for Vengsarkar's loud obnoxious F!Rt, after all he ahs to digest all the alcohol, otherwise they will all accumulate under his eyes.

Ravindra

.Excellent posting. I feel Mr. Vengasarkar played a trick and just waiting for Ganguly to fail in the current series. But, its like a slap on his face by Ganguly who had scored highes run by any indian in the 1st Test. I wish he continues with this style & fashion.

Sougata Som

.Hi Avnish, Thanks for this Awesome Article

Dr. Cajetan Coelho

.Saurav Ganguly batted very well in the two innings of the First Test match. His scores of 47 and 26 not out with over four hours spent at the crease were crucial for gaining that honourable draw in Bangalore. The BCCI could show its power and goodness by requesting Saurav to withdraw his decision to quit and keep playing for Team India even after the Indo-Aussie Test Series.

rajesh

.I agree in total with this comment. Vengy I had a respect for you but now we hate you n ur cohorts after the cheap thing you and dhoni n bindras n handful of BCCI personals have done to our beloved Saurav Ganguly. No one can match Ganguly and he will be in our hearts for ever. Hundreds of dhoni's will come and go but the cricket star SAURAV Ganguly will be in our hearts for ever. Only we will curse you all guys responsible for his retirement because we wanted to see dada play some more time as we enjoyed his one day batting with Sachin. We will really miss dada in the field and now onwards after the australian series I will stop watching cricket as Ganguly won't be there. Rajesh

ratnadeep ray

.Well I appreciate your views. But one thing I disagree is dealing Tendulkar. As we know the oppositions really fear Tendulkar, so just his presence in the team lifts Indian team's confidence and pressurizes the opponent. Another reason why Ganguly is not getting the same treatment which Tendulkar is getting. If you see the SL series closely, you will find Tendulkar played his shots very confidently while Ganguly played his shots with uncertainties. Also Ganguly is liable in running b/w the wickets and fielding. Where Tendulkar and Dravid outscores him. As far as Gavaskar's response is concerned, though he supported Dada yet remarked Ganguly's timing stating Ganguly should have waiting till the end of the series.

suranjana

.i think its highly unfair d way ganguly was treated ..there can be no logical explanation 4 this..if its a question of performance then he has d best performance among d seniors over the last year ..he also has a better average than dhoni over d last year..i wud like 2 hear wat Mr vengsarkar has 2 say in explanation 4 this shameful event..im waitin 2 hear ur side of d story sir...doesnt performance count any more???do u hav a whole new criteria 4 selection??