The Hindu : Sport : Setting terms for quitting?

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Setting terms for quitting?

One may never know the real reason behind Ganguly’s decision, writes Makarand Waingankar

Sourav Ganguly’s announcement that he will retire after the Test series against the Australians must have shocked his fans. But the way he was under scrutiny for the past three years, things were not exactly going his way. Though at times he displayed his mettle, the selectors thought he was a liability on the field and he was dropped for the Irani Trophy and two side games against the tourists.

One may never know the reason behind Ganguly’s decision. Why only Ganguly and not anyone else is the question that remains unanswered. Though he was not in the camp, he was included later and was asked to play against the New Zealand ‘A’ team. He didn’t do too well in the match. Possibly while assessing himself, he may have decided to quit after the four-Test series, but would the selectors pick him even if he does badly in the Bangalore and Mohali Tests?

Bad precedent

When none of the great cricketers were given the honour of quitting on their own, would the BCCI entertain such a request from a player? It will be a bad precedent and in future cricketers of repute would set terms for quitting.

In the present team there are half a dozen players who have crossed the age of 30. Each one has contributed tremendously to the country.

Would the BCCI entertain their requests too?

Had Ganguly been a certainty, his announcement would have been welcomed but he wasn’t a certainty for the Tests because of his poor form and low fitness level. Now allotting him two additional Tests (just due to this announcement) would be unfair to youngsters who have been doing exceedingly well.

It’s the prerogative of the selection committee to pick the best possible combination irrespective of the age of the player. The selection committee seems to have decided to play the four batsmen in the middle order till they quit.

Quiet word

Ganguly did because his inclusion was a bonus to him. Others may not quit. Not that one would want them to quit. The selectors will have to have a quiet word with each one of them.

It’s unfair to drop any experienced cricketer based on one bad series but it is also being unfair to youngsters who are performing consistently.

When there was opportunity for either Rohit Sharma or S. Badrinath to be in the team, Ganguly was picked. That the selectors have been unfair to him for the past three years can’t be an excuse for giving him a Test series.

The BCCI and its selection committee are yet to react to Ganguly’s announcement. That reaction would indicate the stand BCCI would take when similar announcements are made in future. One hopes the BCCI handles the issue of Ganguly with the future of Indian cricket in mind. Two Tests should decide the fate of Ganguly’s cricket career and not his announcement.

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