The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ICC should take a permanent stand on Harbhajan: Ganguly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 24, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

ICC should take a permanent stand on Harbhajan: Ganguly

By K.C. Vijaya Kumar

BANGALORE, MARCH 23. In a pre-match conference, India skipper Surav Ganguly and his Pakistani counterpart Inzamam-Ul-Haq, stressed their desire to win the third and final Test beginning at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.

Ganguly refused to be complacent over the 1-0 lead and said, "we will try and win this game and we need to go in with the mindset that we are already 1-0 up." The Indian skipper also reiterated that the competitive edge in India-Pakistan cricket never ebbs and was candid about his form too and said, "I need to get runs. I understand that and I will try my best."

Inzamam also underlined his team's hunger to draw level in the series. "We want to win this match and will play positively," Inzamam said.

Ganguly was forthright in his views over the latest cloud over Harbhajan Singh's action. "Just three weeks ago Harbhajan was cleared by the ICC, by ICC appointed officials and obviously Chris Broad too is an ICC-appointed referee. I think the ICC has to take a permanent stance because he is a great spinner and will probably play International cricket for the next ten years. Obviously he is a little bit worried but he will fight it out," Ganguly said.

Inzi guarded

Inzamam meanwhile was guarded in his remarks. "Harbhajan is a good bowler but it is Kumble who has done the damage. In my view if I say anything on Harbhajan's action I might go against the ICC. So I would rather leave it to the ICC officials and umpires to decide," Inzamam said.

Ganguly praised coach John Wright, who is slated to quit after this series. "John has been outstanding and we have had a good relationship," Ganguly said besides giving the thumbs-up for Laxman's fitness and the form of Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan.

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