M A I N   N E W S

Cricketing debate: To walk or not to walk

New Delhi, March 21
A dilemma worthy of Hamlet confronts all batsmen in the World Cup on whether they should walk or not after nicking the ball. Australia captain Ricky Ponting clearly belongs to the school that believes the man in the white coat decides when his time is up. Ponting stood his ground after edging the ball to Kamran Akmal on Saturday even though Pakistan's successful review appeal meant he had to go back.

In stark contrast, Sachin Tendulkar, one century away from his 100th international ton, had no hesitation in walking even though umpire Steve Davis felt the Indian did not nick Ravi Rampaul in Sunday’s Group B match in Chennai.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy lauded the gesture. “That was brilliant on his part. It shows the measure of the man. He is a true gentleman,” he said. “I’m sure that would not affect him after scoring 17,000 runs. Yes, he could walk,” Sammy quipped. Ponting feels otherwise.

“There were no doubts about the nick, I knew I hit it,” the Australian captain said after the match against Pakistan. “But as always, I wait for the umpire to give me out. That's the way I’ve always played the game.”

Ponting’s former team-mate Adam Gilchrist walked in the 2003 World Cup semifinal against Sri Lanka and the debate has raged on since then, winning approval from most and bemusing some.

Yuvraj Singh said Tendulkar’s decision to walk did not baffle anyone in the Indian camp. “(We were) not surprised. He felt he needed to walk and so he walked,” Yuvraj told reporters in Chennai. “I think it's a personal decision and it should be left to the batsman.” — Reuters