|
|
|
| October 14, 2005 | Friday | Ramzan 9, 1426 |
Ganguly loses out captaincy to Dravid
MOHALI, Oct 13: Saurav Ganguly was axed as India captain on Thursday and his long-time deputy Rahul Dravid chosen to lead the side in home one-day series against Sri Lanka and South Africa.
The 33-year-old Ganguly, India’s captain for the last five years, had been under pressure due to poor batting form and is nursing an elbow injury.
The 32-year-old Dravid deputised for Ganguly when he has been injured or suspended and has captained his state side Karnataka in the domestic Ranji Trophy.
Indian board secretary Karunakaran Nair said Ganguly’s place in the team would be determined by his form and fitness.
“We have been holding consultations and we have arrived at a unanimous decision that Rahul Dravid will be the skipper for the Sri Lanka and South Africa series,” Nair told reporters.
“There is nothing unusual. Dravid was selected on the basis of his performance.
“As far as Ganguly is concerned, he has a chance to play in the Duleep Trophy match (Oct 20-23) and also show his fitness on Oct 17.”
“He has every right to come back into the Indian team after he proves he is fit.”
Ganguly, who took over the job in 2000, is credited with moulding the side into a fighting unit, particularly backing youngsters such as Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag who faced problems early in their careers.
However, the position of Ganguly, India’s most successful captain with 21 Test victories, has appeared increasingly shaky because of his prolonged batting slump and a recent public disagreement with the side’s Australian coach Greg Chappell.
Former India captain Bishen Singh Bedi praised the selectors.
“It was always on the cards,” he said. “I look at it as a very good and progressive move by the board.”
The appointment of Dravid, one of the finest batsmen in the game, appears to have been made with the 2007 World Cup in mind.
Ganguly will also be under pressure to hold his place in the side. He has not scored a one-day hundred since India’s semifinal victory over Kenya at the 2003 World Cup.
His position had become increasingly shaky owing to India’s poor run in one-day tournaments since losing the World Cup final against Australia.
They have not won a tournament featuring more than two teams since a triangular series in England in 2002.
The squad for the seven-match Sri Lanka series, starting on Oct 25, will be named on Friday. A five-match series against South Africa starts on Nov 16.—Reuters
|
|
|
|
