Poor Sourav

From Barath, USA
I can never understand why people (particularly the selectors) take the stand with Ganguly they do. It is quite frustrating to see him go from savior (post match fixing scandals) to scapegoat (for a team whenever it's batting collectively collapses).

One comment that does the rounds is: 'We are looking to the future'. Well, why not drop Laxman, then? "What?", you yell, "The man's a mighty force against Australia". Hearing all the talk, you would think his average against Australia is in the 60's. A simple Cricinfo search tells you it is only 50.6, lower than Sachin's or Ponting's career averages! Alright, I give in. Fame counts for something. "How about Dravid?", I meekly suggest. "He's The Wall", you say. Well, he is in a rut of late. If anyone should go, it really should be Dravid, shouldn't it?

How about Tendulkar? Wait, no. Oh, don't. That hurts. Don't call me that. I promise not to suggest that again. Ever. Peace. And now you come up with "He's not a good fielder". "Ha", you say, obviously thinking you have scored a point. But it is rather foolish, you see. The man's never been a good fielder. Has fielding gained more importance now than it had 5 years ago? It's the same game, after all. "He's not fit". Err, how? Oh, those injuries that he had. Well, he is a professional sportsman, after all. And he looks more fit than, say, Viru. Who looks to be on a diet that has strictly fat and nothing else.

Well, some facts, now. Sourav has averaged 45 in the last 12 months. Not stellar, certainly not. But Dravid has averaged 34. Tendulkar 45. Oh, wait! I was not supposed to say that. Forget it. Oh, well! I guess the national selectors must know things ordinary folk don't. That or they are just looking for for an excuse to cover up their selection follies. Your guess is as good as mine.