The Hindu : National : Parliamentarians call for Chappell's head

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Friday, Nov 24, 2006
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Parliamentarians call for Chappell's head

New Delhi: Angry parliamentarians gave vent to their disappointment over the Indian cricket team's performance and demanded the sacking of coach Greg Chappell on Thursday.

India's abject surrender to South Africa in the second cricket one-dayer in Durban evoked a strong reaction from the MPs who denounced Chappell's ways of guiding the side.

Senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said: "People feel hurt after they watch the performance of the Indian cricket team. Since Pawar is BCCI chief, he should tell what are the steps he is taking to save the team from continuous defeats."

Holding Chappell responsible for the defeats, RPI MP Ramdas Athawale demanded the removal of the coach and non-performing players.

However, Rajya Sabha MP and BCCI Media and Communications Committee Convenor Rajiv Shukla hoped that the team would make amends for its failures.

Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said victory and defeat were part of life and one should be prepared for both.

Veteran Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi echoed similar views.

``It happens in games that you win some and you lose some... " Hundreds of cricket fans demonstrated before the Meerut Collectorate to show their resentment towards Chappell. They demanded that he be replaced by an Indian, and Sourav Ganguly recalled. Veteran Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh felt Chappell must be shown the door. "Chappell must be removed. Pawar would also have to think about it. There is a lot of weight on his [Pawar] shoulders."

Another SP leader Mohan Singh said he was so much "ashamed" by India's batting performance that he switched off the TV. — PTI

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