Gavaskar Hits Back At Ponting - They are Rattled

Sunil Gavaskar hit back at Australian skipper Ricky Ponting for his "uncalled for" remarks that the former India captain was no angel during his playing days.

Gavaskar mentioned that this comment indicated that Australian side was completely rattled to find a challenger in India.

"I think it was totally uncalled for and it is showing the world that they are rattled," Gavaskar said to a news channel. He further added "I think they have been a champion side and suddenly they find that they have a challenger in India. And therefore, it's not just Ponting but all the other statements that we have heard from other Australians. Probably they are trying to sell their books or whatever it is."

Ponting in his just published "Captain's Diary 2008" has lashed out at former Indian skipper and legend Gavaskar and other former players for often blaming the Australian team for on-field confrontations.

Ponting wrote, "I still have a vivid image of Sunil Gavaskar angrily trying to take his opening partner off the MCG with him in 1981 when he was given out lbw in a Test match, but to hear him today you'd think he was positively angelic when he was the best opening batsman in the word."

To this Gavaskar said, "Ponting would not have a clear understanding of the incident as he was just a child then. Ponting was just seven-year-old when MCG incident happened. He does not know the back-ground."

Ponting Digs at Gavaskar!

Ponting, the Australian skipper has digged at Gavaskar for his walk out in in 1981 in Australia. He said, Gavaskar was not an angle during his days. He is describing himself as a great batsman and an example but his behavior during the 1981 series against Australia in Australia does not say that.

Ponting, in his Captain's Diary 2008 wrote, "I still have a vivid image of Sunil Gavaskar angrily trying to take his opening partner off the MCG with him in 1981 when he was given out lbw in a Test match, but to hear him today you'd think he was positively angelic when he was the best opening batsman in the word."

Sure you can expect a return statment from Sunny soon.

Meeting Leak - Disgusting and Disrespectful - Dhoni

Dhoni denied the report by the Bengal Daily and also by the news channels about a rift between him and the selectors over the omission of RP Singh, his close friend from the India team for the next 2 ODIs.

The Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika reported that Dhoni was not happy with the selectors for dropping RP Singh and including Irfan Pathan. The paper further said that Dhoni threatened to quit the captaincy over this issue.

Dhoni, however denied the allegations but said that leak of the meeting is disgusting and disrespectful. He described the leak as "disgusting and disrespectful" the fact that matters discussed in selection meetings are leaked and reported in the media.

The Indian selectors chose Irfan Pathan over RP Singh, for the next two ODIs. I don't know where the report came from. What happens inside a meeting where the selectors, the captain and the coaches are there, when it comes out it is disgusting and disrespectful," Dhoni said, after India's training session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. "Things like this should not be happening. I'm not saying something happened at the meeting, but over the years we have seen things being leaked from meetings."

"This is the pinnacle of the sport. We are selecting 15 guys for the Indian team," said Dhoni. "There will be debates inside, and that information should not be put out in the media. If it is meant to come out, then I can say we might as well have the whole meeting telecast live on television. Nobody knows what was discussed except the eight guys in the meeting. And only they know whether it's the truth or not."

There might be a scenario where all of a sudden we might want to get in touch with RP Singh and Irfan Pathan. And you don't want RP to feel that I will go out of the way and stand and defend him and Irfan should not feel I don't want him in the team. I will stand and defend both these players and both of them trust me. My talks with them went off well."

"We have an important match coming up, and we chose instead to focus on that match," he said. "This is a selection thing and personally I don't discuss anything outside. To some extent it does distract us. The good part is that we trust each other - every player in the team trusts the other."

"We do not have players in this team with outstanding talent, which can win every game. But as a team we are outstanding. So for us the mantra is being a team, and these things will not break the trust we have in each other. It's important for us to be a team."

Rift Between Dhoni and Selectors?

Media reported a rift between selectors and Dhoni on the omission of RP Singh from the Indian side. One of the Bengali daily reported that Dhoni was not happy with the selectors and threatened to resign.

The selectors omitted RP Singh for the 4th ODI and brought back Irfan Pathan in the Indian team for the fourth ODI. Sachin was also brought back to the team while Vijay was dropped, though he did not play even one game.

The daily said that skipper Dhoni was not happy with the exclusion of RP Singh from the side and threatened to resign from the leadership position.

We have to wait and see what's going to happen before start of the next match on Sunday in Bangalore.

Ponting Hits Back at his Critics! Says hit Hurts!

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was completely hurt by the remarks from his critics which includes former Austrlian captains and few board members of Cricket Australia.

He used part time bowlers Hussey, Clarke and White. Though White is a regular spinner, he was not successful. So, he bowled only less overs in the first innings and also in the 2nd innings.

Ponting would have faced suspension for the team's slow over-rate, said he never felt not using regular fast bowlers was a "negative tactic, as depicted by his critics including Cricket Australia Director and former captain Allan Border.

He said, "To tell you the truth I am a little bit disappointed with some of the criticism, particularly from former Australian captains and CA board members. The thing I'm most disappointed about is htere seems to be this inference out there that I've put myself totally ahead of the team. Anybody that knows me or knows the way I play my cricket or operate around the Australian team or any team would hopefully not say that's the case."

"I'd like to think as far as team players go that there haven't been many who have ever played for Australia would do more than I have for the team," Ricky added.

Earlier, Border said, "I don't know what to make of all this. They go into the tea break on a high and come out worrying about over rates."

Warne expects Ponting to learn from Mistake!

The legend Australian spinner Shane Warne has expressed surprise over Ponting move on the fourth day of the final test against India in Nagpur. His tactics of using part time bowlers after team was really surprising because he always put team first.

"His tactics surprised me - and everyone else - because he is naturally an attacker," Warne wrote in his column in the Herald Sun. "The reason he is under pressure is that it looked like he put himself in front of the team, and that just isn't Punter. Having played with him for a long time, he was one of the guys that put the team first - always."

"If it meant throwing his wicket away in the chase for quick runs, he would do that. And there have been previous captains who would not do that. I just think he got it wrong this time and I'm sure he will be a better captain for the experience."

"Hopefully Ricky understands where everyone's criticism is coming from, takes it on board and does not wipe people," Warne said. "I'm sure if he thinks it through, he could do worse than ask Ian Chappell or Allan Border out for dinner and chat about it. He might just pick up something."

Ponting received criticising from all over cricketing world for his poor tactics. Though coach Tim Nielsen and Cricket Austrlia CEO Sutherland backed his decision, they were also surprised by his move.

Steve Waugh Too Not Happy with Ponting Decision!

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh also criticised Ponting for his poor decision to use part time bowlers after tea on the fourth day. India were struggling at 166 for 6 with tail enders to follow.

The use of part time bowlers like Hussey and Michael Clarke was the turning point with Dhoni and Harbhajan adding runs on the board. Though Dhoni is a recognized batsman, Bhajji was not. He scored 50, his second in the series. They added 108 for the 7th wicket and took the lead beyond 350 where Ponting could have restricted India to less than 300 including the lead.

"I am sure Ricky would regret the decision," Waugh told the Herald Sun. "Winning the Test match is what mattered. You have just spent six weeks in the subcontinent. You just don't take your foot off the gas."

The Australian team were running late in overs. During tea, the umpires warned Ponting about the slow over rate. Ponting was under pressure to complete 25 overs in 75 minutes. Ponting was later fined for slow over rate.

"There are far too many stoppages," he said. "I remember when I played it was considered a badge of honour not to have a drink in a session [apart from the scheduled drinks break]. And no one died from dehydration. These days there are far too many drinks breaks. It's ridiculous. But it is just not the captain's fault. It is up to coaches, referees and umpires to keep the show moving."

Sutherland to query Ponting on his tactics!

Cricket Australia will question the Australian captain Ricky Ponting on the tactics used after the tea on the 4th day of the final test match. Austrlia had a very good chance of equaling the series and retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2008.

With 0-1 down, Australia had a good chance of winning the final test thirce with close to winning chance on the 4th day during the Indian 2nd innings.

The first chance was on the 2nd day when Australia started the first innings. India were 311 for 5 at the end of day 1. On day 2, Australia restricted India to 441 which was expected to go beyond 500.

Second chance when Australia batted and could have gained good lead or at least went close to Indian total. They were 189 for 2 at the end of day 2, but the tactics played by Dhoni restricted Aussies to 355. The chance was not taken by Australian batsmen. Though India did bowl little negative, Australia could have played positively as they were 0-1 down in the series. They scored just 166 runs 85.4 overs they played on the third day.

On the fourth day, India were struggling at 166 for 6 at tea with Tendulkar run out and tail enders to follow. If Ponting had used his strike bolwers Lee or Johnson, sure they could restricted to less than 225 and had to chase around 300. But, the slow over rate and warning from umpires turned the match in favor of India. Ponting used part-time bowlers--Hussey, Clarke, and White. Australia had to bowl 25 overs in 75 minutes for which he used them. Otherwise, he would have faced one match suspension. Dhoni and Harbhajan utilized the situation, swept spinners and took singles and twos. They added 108 for the 7th wicket and took the lead beyond 350. Harbhajan scored his 4th fifty against Austrlia and Dhoni also reached his fifty.

The Cricket Australia CEO and other cricket experts critisized Ponting for his poor leadership skills and bad decision. Cricket Australia CEO Sutherland indicated that he will talk to Ponting and seek an explanation on his decisions.