….And the Loser is Team India

‘‘Is that what he said?’’ he asked, distinctly troubled. Later, he indicated a damage control exercise would be necessary. It won’t a surprise if coach John Wright moves to ensure hard feelings don’t remain.

WHAT IF SEHWAG HAD BEEN AT 380?

SAAMNA (Mumbai)

People, generally, wanted Sachin Tendulkar to attain a double century which would have brought him on par with Vinod Kambli having scored two double centuries in succession. The declaration appears to be positive. But how could one take pride in raising your collar by sacrificing somebody else? Would the innings be declared if Sehwag had been at 380?

(Dwarkanath Sanzgiri)

GANGULY SHOULD TAKE VRS

SAAMNA (Mumbai)

Bengalidada has used Dravid’s shoulder to fire the gun. The middle-order is so good that it is high time Ganguly takes a VRS and play as a non-playing captain. (Marathi theatre personality Machchindra Kambli)

SACHIN LOST OUT ON DOUBLE-TON AND SYMPATHY

ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA (Kolkata)

At the end of the day Sehwag’s batting feat got buried in a controversy over another piece of batting. The fallout of calling the team out with Sachin just 6 runs away fro his double ton has rocked Team India.

Imram Khan had once declared the Pakistani innings when Miandad was batting on 280. Till date Miandad has not pardoned Imran Khan. But Imran had his grounds. Team was above individual feats, Imran said.

At the end of the day Sachin not only lost a double ton but also the sympathy of many for opening his mouth and criticising the declaration.

WHAT KIND OF A DECISION IS THIS?

BARTAMAN (Kolkata)

We are pained, angry. What kind of a decision by Rahul Dravid is this? Dravid has earned the wrath of millions of cricket lovers all over India for depriving Sachin, the legend of Indian cricket, of a certain double century.

Apparently mild spoken and not so publicity hungry, this Kannada youth used to be thought of a cricketer of different mentality. But Mr Dravid, extremely sorry to tell you that you have fallen sharply in one go from the high pedestal of respect you enjoyed from Indian cricket lovers.

We would like to know if Sourav had a role to play in this decision. Was it in the interest of the team or in self-interest? We all know this test is going to be a draw, why was Sachin deprived of his feat? Is it because Dravid did not want Sachin (who has three double tons now) to touch his record of four double centuries in test cricket that he holds now with Sunil Gavaskar?

SACHIN WAS ROBBED

MID-DAY (Mumbai)

This particular Indian team is full of surprises. There was yet another one after the second day’s play came to an end at the Multan Cricket Stadium yesterday. Sachin Tendulkar was robbed of his fourth double century in Test cricket and the batting maestro left it to the imagination as to what he felt about Rahul Dravid’s declaration an hour before the stumps were drawn.

And sources close to the team say that the little master was ‘‘very upset’’ over the issue. ‘‘They had send him instructions to hurry up but I don’t know whose decision was it declare the innings’’ is how the source put it.

DRAVID’S DRAWN FANS’ IRE

LOKMAT (Mumbai)

Dravid has unnecessarily invited the ire of Tendulkar’s fans by the declaration. What difference would it have made, was the general consensus among the cricket lovers.

A GUTSY DECLARATION

DAWN (Pakistan)

Tendulkar had his heart set on a double hundred. Even when Yuvraj was going hell for leather and reached his 50 in double quick time, Sachin showed no urgency. His captain showed immense patience for he was eager to have a go at Pakistan. He even sent Tendulkar a message. Given that Tendulkar enjoys an iconic status, it was a gutsy declaration.