Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NAGPUR, JULY 27: Mohammed Azharuddin has some definite reasons to say I won8217;t quit8217; though there is wide-spread demand for his scalp. The Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI Secretary, Jaywant Lele, believes that the 36-year-old Hyderabadi is still proficient enough for representing the country as a player, though the bigwig harbours no candid opinion on whether Azhar should be sacked as captain by the selection committee which meets here tomorrow to select the Indian skipper.
Though Lele was at pains to point out that he was not holding Azhar8217;s brief, he recited several reasons why 8220;the most successful Indian captain should not be axed from the team8221;, during his prolonged talk with The Indian Express here this afternoon.
Lele informed that he had met Azhar in Mumbai on Monday night. 8220;I8217;m well aware of his fitness status. Though he8217;s not fit now, I hope he8217;ll be in good shape very soon,8221; Lele said, adding that the Mumbai-based batsman was to consult noted orthopaedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi in a couple of days.
8220;Azhar has scored the highest runs in one-dayers and he has played the highest number of ODIs too. I think he is still consistent,8221; said the board secretary. He also admitted that Azhar did not live upto expectations in the World Cup and attributed the player8217;s failure to one of the bad patches that punctuate a batsman8217;s extensive career.
GANGULY, ROBIN WERE MISQUOTED8217;
Lele said the board has received letters from Robin Singh and Saurav Ganguly, who say that they were 8220;misquoted by the media8221;. Ganguly has not authored any column in a Bengali newspaper, Lele informed, adding that the newspaper which published Ganguly8217;s statement had also supported the Bengal player8217;s stand.
Lele saidhe had heard the Robin Singh tapes8217; in Mumbai. 8220;There is not a single word uttered by Robin which was reported in the press next day,8221; he asserted. Lele said the players8217; replies were satisfactory and the BCCI would discuss the issue at its forthcoming executive meeting.
