The Hindu : Sport : Respect umpiring decisions: Sangakkara

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Respect umpiring decisions: Sangakkara

Special Correspondent

Brisbane: Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara said umpiring decisions in cricket should be respected.

He was responding to a question on his appeal for a caught behind decision against Rohit Sharma which was upheld by Umpire Rudi Koerzten. But the replays indicated the Indian batsman had not got a touch to the ball at the ’Gabba on Tuesday.

Sangakkara said: “We have some of the best umpires in the business and we should accept their decisions graciously. The beauty of the game lies in the human element.”

The Lankan said umpiring decisions could go either way. He was referring to his own dismissal in the Hobart Test against Australia this season. Umpire Koertzen had wrongly ruled Sangakkara out when he was leading Sri Lanka’s heroic pursuit in the last innings. His dismissal had ended Lanka’s hopes.

On Tuesday’s match here, Sangakkara said Sri Lanka had a chance to chase down a target of 268. The Lankan was appreciative of Gautam Gambhir’s hundred but added he should have nailed the catch when the batsman was on 10.

‘Very satisfying’

Gambhir said his unbeaten century gave him a lot of joy. “Scoring a hundred in Australia, in conditions and situations that are challenging, is very satisfying. As a cricketer you always dream of doing well in Australia. It is a long series and I want to sustain my form.”

On his duel with Muttiah Muralitharan, Gambhir said: “He is a great bowler, a legend. He has so many variations. I was not able to pick him in the beginning but played him better later on.” He added batting at No 3. had made him more responsible.

Gambhir added he was making an attempt to tighten up his game. “On pitches like this you should not give away your wicket hanging your bat out. I am working on these aspects,” he said. The southpaw said he took confidence from captaining Delhi to the Ranji Trophy this season and batting well under pressure.

Gambhir dwelt on the virtues of team-spirit. “There is no use scoring a hundred if your team does not win,” he said.

He believed India had a chance to win both the games that had to be abandoned here.

On Sachin Tendulkar crossing 16,000 runs in the ODIs, he said: “Who am I to say anything about him. He is the greatest batsman in Indian cricket.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport