NEW DELHI, 27 September 2005 — India coach Greg Chappell and captain Saurav Ganguly will appear before an Indian cricket board committee in Mumbai today after the Australian made it clear he thought Ganguly should be sacked.
The rift between the pair became public on the recent Zimbabwe tour when Ganguly told the media Chappell had suggested before the Test series that he should step down in favor of an in-form batsman.A confidential e-mail from Chappell to board officials, leaked to the media, said Ganguly was not physically fit and was undermining team unity.
Ganguly, who took over in 2000, is India’s most successful Test captain with 21 victories but his recent batting form has been disappointing.
Chappell, who was appointed in July to boost the one-day side before the 2007 World Cup, has been supported by several ex-India players with former captain Bishen Bedi saying he was more important to the team than Ganguly.Former captain Dilip Vengsarkar said yesterday only a player who could command a place in the team should be captain.
“It has damaged Indian cricket. It is very unfortunate,” he told Reuters. “It is really bad and I think things have come to a stage where both can’t work together.
“I have great regard for Chappell. He is one of the best batsmen I have seen and his appointment is very good for Indian cricket.” The board, already under an unwelcome spotlight due to infighting among its officials, has banned players from commenting.
Ganguly said he would defend himself to the six-member committee, which includes former captains Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Srinivas Venkatraghavan.
Miandad Criticizes Officials
for Revealing Plans
In Karachi, former national captain Javed Miandad criticized Pakistan officials yesterday for revealing their plans for the three-Test series against England before the tourists arrive in the country.
“I am surprised at the way these people have discussed plans for the series in the media. To my mind they gave an indication to the English selectors of what to expect in Pakistan,” Miandad told Reuters.
“What is the need to say that they might recall leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed for the series? What is the purpose of discussing the type of pitches they will prepare for England? It makes no sense to me.”
Miandad played 124 Tests and was Pakistan coach on three separate occasions before he was replaced by former England international and South Africa coach Bob Woolmer.
“Why say this publicly?” Miandad asked. “England’s recent success has been because their captain and coach do not discuss what is on their mind or their plans in the media. They kept the opposition guessing.”
