NEW DELHI, Oct 4: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly on Saturday played down the controversy surrounding sledging in cricket and said Indians have also realised that it was a way of rattling up the opposition.

“Little bit of sledging is a part of modern day game... I will be lying if I say India does not do it (sledge). We have learnt (over the years) that this is also a way to get the opposition out,” Ganguly said in “Walk the Talk” programme telecast on NDTV.

He, however, said sledging should not turn into personal abuse and that umpires and match referees should take stern action to control on field behaviour.

Ganguly, said it becomes difficult for the skipper as well as the team when captain is appointed on series by series basis.—PPI