Laxman has given strong and clear message to selectors: Ganguly
August 18th, 2012 - 11:40 pm ICT by IANS
Kolkata, Aug 18 (IANS) Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly Saturday saluted V.V.S. Laxman for his contribution to the game and said he has given a “strong and clear” message to the selectors by quitting international cricket with immediate effect.
“He has sent a strong and clear message to the selectors. Making this seem like a farewell series does not make sense. It’s a tough decision, a fantastic decision. He is 200 percent right… hats off,” Ganguly said.
Regretting that selection panel chairman K. Srikkanth had problem in communicating, Ganguly said the selectors should have informed Laxman in advance much before the selection of team for New Zealand that they wanted it to be his farewell series.
“You can’t expect a player like Laxman to train hard to keep himself fit for only two Tests. I am surprised the selectors divulged the matter only this month. And this I think has hurt him very much,” he said.
Ganguly said Laxman could not be singled out for India’s recent dismal 0-8 Test record overseas.
“I was doing commentary during the series in Australia. Despite getting green-top wickets, Ishant Sharma could bag only four wickets in four Test matches. We know how Dhoni failed. Gautam Gambhir’s only good contribution is a half-century. So why should only Laxman be singled out?”
“Age can’t be a factor. It is a case of unequal treatment. With this policy, you cannot build a good side”.
Lashing out at the selectors, Ganguly said they always go for a balancing act and do not concentrate on building a team for the future.
“They axe one player, include another. Indian cricket cannot go ahead in this manner. The thinking is the successors will take care of long term plans”.
Reacting to Laxman’s comment that he could not reach Dhoni, Ganguly criticised the skipper for not being available for his players all the time.
“A skipper should be available 24 hours. I don’t know why Dhoni does this… But I think situation would have been different, had Laxman got Dhoni’s support,” he said.
Ganguly, however, showered praise on Laxman for his brilliance.
“When he came, he seemed like Azharuddin. Both were equally wristy. But later he developed as a better player than Azharuddin,” he said.
- Dhoni not invited to Laxman's party - Aug 22, 2012
- Laxman always found Eden 'very very special' - Aug 18, 2012
- Ganguly 'surprised' at Yuvraj's recall - Aug 10, 2012
- Sehwag says seniors don't need to retire - Jan 28, 2012
- Ganguly has made a great contribution to Indian cricket: Azhar - Apr 19, 2011
- Dhoni not interested in Test cricket: Ganguly - Jan 13, 2012
- Looking to start in a positive mood, says Dhoni - Aug 22, 2012
- Hyderabad stadium's pavilion named after Laxman - Aug 23, 2012
- Gambhir can't be compared to MSD as t20 captain: Ganguly - May 28, 2012
- Laxman declares international innings (Second lead) - Aug 18, 2012
- Despite loss, Dhoni best T-20 captain: Ganguly (Lead) - May 28, 2012
- Dhoni lacks intelligence: Azhar - Apr 13, 2012
- Whenever Dhoni hits a six, he says he didn't connect: Laxman - Nov 15, 2011
- Tendulkar back; big chance for India's GenNext against Windies - Nov 05, 2011
- Laxman's tryst with 'very very special' Eden still going strong - Nov 15, 2011
Tags: axe, balancing act, cricket captain, farewell, four wickets, gautam gambhir, indian cricket, international cricket, kolkata, panel chairman, selection panel, selectors, skipper, sourav ganguly, srikkanth, successors, test matches, test record, unequal treatment, v v s laxman