Lankan advice may help

AHMEDABAD, OCT 18: The 19-year-old Harbhajan Singh could well go the Rajesh Chauhan way. Just when he was getting compared to past greats...

AHMEDABAD, OCT 18: The 19-year-old Harbhajan Singh could well go the Rajesh Chauhan way. Just when he was getting compared to past greats, it could well be the time to write his epilogue. From BCCI8217;s initial reaction it seems this action drama too will have the same end.

With the International Cricket Council asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI to take remedial measures about his action before considering him for selection, it will bring to halt a budding spinner in full flight.

Former Indian left-arm spinner Maninder Singh cautioned, 8220;The whole things needs to be finished fast or it can ruin the career of a promising young cricketer.8221;

The story began when BCCI received a letter from ICC on October 16 directing them to keep him out of the national team until he undergoes corrective measures.

BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele informed that the microscope was focused on Harbhajan after Peter van der Merwe and Rajan Madugulle, the match referees in the two triangular one-day series inwhich Harbhajan played, smelled something fishy. The case then went to ICC8217;s throwing committee. The panel which includes greats like Clyde Walcott, Michael Holding and Kapil Dev reviewed Harbhajan8217;s video tapes and nailed him.

As of now Harbhajan could be sent abroad to iron out the flaws as was the case with Rajesh Chauhan, who was sent to England for his action therapy.

But Lele said he could also be put under our own spin greats like Erapalli Prasanna or Srinivas Venkatraghavan.

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Maninder too was off the same view saying that we have a number of Dronacharya Award winners coaches who are capable of handling Harbhajan so there is no point in sending him abroad.

The former Test star said that though Harbhajan8217;s action is not very clean the ICC action comes as a surprise. 8220;He has played two Tests and a number of one-dayers and first class matches but has never been called for chucking,8221; he argued.

Muttiah Murlitharan was no balled by umpires for chucking but the Sri Lankan board stood by him. It istime the Indian board look across the fence for some good neighbourly advise.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More