The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

SPORTS

Dravid’s action surprises many
But gets bouquets from others for keeping nation above individuals
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 30
The decision of Rahul Dravid to declare the innings when Tendulkar was inching towards equalling the Great Don’s back-and-back double century record has evoked a mixed reaction ranging from anger against the captain to eulogising him for a courageous stand.

While section of the persons interviewed chided Dravid for coming in the way of a great record of a fellow teammate, others have said that it was a message to the team as well as nation to put larger goals ahead of the personal ones.

“The entire country is angry and disappointed over the decision. Every player has a dream to score double century and Tendulkar should have been allowed to do so. He would have not taken more than an over or so to complete his double ton. A double century would have boosted the morale of Tendulkar. It is beyond my comprehension why Dravid took such a decision”.

Mr Surinder Singh Baijee, Secretary, Chandigarh Cricket Association.

“Dravid is a non-controversial player but it was a hasty decision on his part. There would have been no effect on the match had Tendulkar been allowed to complete his double century. Test match series in Pakistan is a rare thing and there are chances that by the time another series is scheduled in Pakistan, Tendulkar takes retirement. A double century would have been a great thing for Tendulkar and the country”.

Mr Monish Aggarwal, Selector, Punjab Cricket Association.

“It was strange decision. This would have been become Tendulkar’s consecutive double century (he had scored 241 in the last Test match against Australia). One or two more overs would have made no effect on the result of the match. I do not think the decision would have any negative effect on the moral of a player like Tendulkar. But he should have been allowed to achieve another milestone”.

Mr Rakesh Jolly, former Haryana Ranji Trophy player.

“It was a bold and positive decision. It shows that the Indian team is playing to win and our attitude is positive. Winning a match is more important than individual milestones. Tendulkar was given time to complete his double hundred but he could not do so. It was important to put Pakistan to bat. It is a different story that we could not succeed. Dravid’s decision will go a long way in the annals of the Indian cricket”.

Mr Bharti Vij, former Punjab Ranji Trophy player.

“Generally cool-looking stand-in captain Rahul Dravid showed signs of leadership by taking an unpleasant decision of declaring the innings without caring for a senior colleague’s painfully slow progress to achieve a personal milestone. Dravid has sent a strong message to all team members that national goal is always ahead of personal achievements”.

Ms Sonia Bhullar, business executive.

“I was waiting for his (Tendulkar) double century. It was an imprudent decision and even if it was important to put Pakistan to bat, the captain should have allowed Tendulkar to complete his double hundred. A double ton for Tendulkar would have been a great thing for all Indians”.

Ms Swati Sharma, PU student.

“I stand with Dravid. He had taken a daring decision. Things might have been different had the match was captained by Ganguli. It was an irritated Indian citizen in Dravid who was reacting against the culture in the country where people have started putting personal consideration ahead of a larger national or team goal. The politicians have a lot to learn from Dravid not to buckle under pressure of interest groups, however, famous and powerful they may be”.

Mr Ashok Upadhyay, research scholar, Department of Sanskrit, PU.

Fine knock by Manan
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, March 30
Manan Vohra scored 44 runs in 61 deliveries which enabled the joint team of Chandigarh Cricket Association XI and DAV Coaching centre in defeating Gaziabad Mahanagar Cricket Association by 64 runs in the second SN Vohra Memorial under-13 league-cum-knockout tournament played here at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium.

In the second match of the day, a superb performance by Vikram Talwar who made 33 runs and got two wickets for 24 runs helped St John’s School Cricket Academy in beating MES XI by seven runs.. In the third match of the day, bowling by Karishna Ahuja who bagged four wickets for 15 runs helped Satluj Coaching Centre, Panchkula, in beating Dronacharya Cricket Foundation XI, Delhi, by 86 runs. In the last match of the day, held at Mohali Cricket Stadium, the team Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, defeated Mohali Cricket Association XI by 90 runs.

Brief scores: CCA and DAVCC:139 runs for eight in 40 overs (Manan Vohra 44, Lavish 14, Ankur 4 for 34, Vishesh 2 for 24), GMCA XI:75 runs all out (Dheeraj 21, Amit 12, Saransh 5 for 13, Jatin 2 for five); second match St John’s School CA XI: 136 runs for nine in 40 overs (Vikram Talwar 33, Vidhur 14, Abhishek 3 for 33, Kulvinder 3 for 25, Jaspreet 2 for 25); MES XI, Patiala: 129 runs all out in 39.4 overs (Aman Kumar 26, Gaurav 14, Jaspreet 15, Anurag 3 for 19, Vikram Talwar 2 for 24, Manan Kumar 2 for 15); third match: Satluj CC: 194 runs all out in 38.2 overs (Akshay 41, Karan Goel 38, Rohit Singh 27, Vipul Chadha19, Niladri Das Gupta 6 for 44), DCF, Delhi:108 runs all out in 33.2 overs (Kunwar Jain 22, Arjun 17, Krishna Ahuja 4 for 18), and fourth match: Cricket stadium, Sector 16: 220 runs all out in34 overs (Lakhan 38, Shubham 34, Himanshu 35, Gaurav Puri 35, Abhilash 2 for 42, Ankush Chawla 2 for 17), MCA XI: 132 runs all out in 28 overs (Satya 36, Ankush Chawla 25, Geetansh 15, Sahib Malhotra 3 for 19, Gurinder 3 for 31, Ajay Powar 3 for 28).