Azhar was affected by media criticism 8212; Poll

June 20: Polls can be devastatingly cruel. Coming from millions who see cricket as a religion, impulsive opinions must be taken with a pi...

June 20: Polls can be devastatingly cruel. Coming from millions who see cricket as a religion, impulsive opinions must be taken with a pinch of salt.

But collective opinions, like elections, have their merit. Mohammed Azharuddin would be particularly glad to know that 87 per cent of the respondents to an Express poll felt the media had been unfair to him. A whopping 96 per cent of 1470 respondents felt Azhar8217;s performance had been affected by 8220;too much of media criticism8221;.

Rahul Dravid should also be satisfied, deservedly so as 1,550 respondents 78 per cent felt he was the best batsman in the World Cup. But there was cynosure for Lance Klusener, easily the most effective contributor to South Africa8217;s fortunes in the seventh World Cup. Asked what the turning point in Thursday8217;s semi-final between South Africa and Australia, nearly 50 per cent of the respondents blamed Klusener for his gaffe, while Warne8217;s brilliant spell found favour with only 38 per cent.

Not just cruel, polls can beremarkably fickle. While 74 per cent felt, before the England match that Sachin Tendulkar should have batted down the order, 85 percent felt, at the start of the Super Six, that Robin Singh merited inclusion at Sadagoppan Ramesh8217;s cost, Tendulkar reverting to the opener8217;s spot.

Some other poll findings:

1. Who has been the best all-rounder in the World Cup? asked on May 30: Wasim Akram 490 47, Lance Klusener 470 45.

2. What was the main factor which helped the Indian cricket team get into the Super Six?: Ganguly8217;s all-round performance 1,440 94; Azhar8217;s timely decisions 90 5.

3. With a war-like situation in Kargil, should the Indian team refuse to play Pakistan in the World Cup?: Yes 220 14, No 1,250 82,

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4. What was the main reason for India8217;s defeat against Australia in Super Six round?: Our fielding first 160 33, Poor batting 140 29, McGrath8217;s spell 180 37.

5. Do you think teams batting first in the World Cup have a better chance ofwinning matches?: Yes 1,1901 70, No 480 28, Can8217;t say 20 1.

6. Do you think the points system is to be blamed for India8217;s ouster from the World Cup?: Yes 660 37, No 1,100 62, Can8217;t say 10 1.