Chairman of selectors under fire

[King]

Chairman of selectors under fire Indian board comes down hard on Vengsarkar Cricinfo staff March 4, 2007 Dilip Vengsarkar: [Dravid] insisted on having Sehwag and that made the difference ? GNNphotos The Indian board has taken strong exception to a remark by Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors, regarding Virender Sehwag's inclusion in India's World Cup squad. Vengsarkar was quoted by a news channel on Saturday as saying that the out-of-form Sehwag was selected only because of the insistence Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain . "When I was leading India, I never got the team I wanted and I didn't want Rahul to go through the same. He insisted on having Sehwag and that made the difference." The board said it wasn't proper for the chief selector to make such statements and that such remarks could only lead to fresh controversies ahead of India's World Cup campaign in the Caribbean. "It is not right to comment on team selection now," said Ratnakar Shetty, the chief administrative officer of the board. "I wish Vengsarkar had refrained from making such comments at a time when the team had already left for the showpiece event. The Code of Conduct applies to everybody, players and selectors." Rajiv Shukla, the vice-president of the board, echoed the same sentiment: "The chairman of the selection committee should not make such a remark. It creates unnecessary controversy before the Cup. He should refrain from making such statements. The team is selected by the five selectors in consultation with the captain and coach. Selection issues should not come out in the open." Vengsarkar admitted Sehwag did not feature in the initial scheme of things due to his prolonged run-drought but enjoyed backing from some quarters in the team. "It was a bit of gamble [to have him in the side] ... but I think he has done extremely well in the past. Besides, he has won a lot of matches for India. We are hoping that he would do well in the World Cup." He backed Irfan Pathan, another player selected despite being out of form, and hoped he would come good in the next few weeks. "Both Irfan and Sehwag have fantastic records and they have done extremely well in the past. Again, form is important as well. But they have experience, which makes a lot of difference. If there are tight games, experience can win you matches." Vengsarkar also justified the decision to appoint Sachin Tendulkar as the vice-captain of the side. "Rahul is an experienced player, so is Sachin. If something happens to Dravid, God forbid, Sachin can lead." He added that Greg Chappell had done a "reasonable" job as coach and felt he should continue with the team even after the World Cup.

[King]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire Much needed by the board. Vengsarkar talks way too much for a selector. He is no better than Greg Chappell as for sucking up to the media goes. Vengsarkar simply loves to be in the media always. Time he talks less and works more.

[kumble_rocks]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire Agreed. It's not as of he didn't get lucky breaks during his playing career. To single out Sehwag in public is uncalled for.

[yoda]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire

Agreed. It's not as of he didn't get lucky breaks during his playing career. To single out Sehwag in public is uncalled for.

Saw the interview he gave to CNN-IBN and vengsarkar did not volunteer the info. He was pressed by the interviewer and kinda gave in. http://www.cricketnext.com/videos/23489/dravid-wanted-sehwag-vengsarkar.html

[Mandrake]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire bullied by the interviewer cannot be an excuse...as a chairman of selectors he should be showing some tact in handling the media....

[Birbal3]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire He said nothing wrong... he PRAISED Sehwag too..

[Birbal3]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire btw, only Cricinfo the Greggy Chamchas are making a big deal about this... nobody else gives a damn... I am sure all articles in Cricinfo will be by "Cricinfo Staff" as nobody wants to take credit for this piece of TRASH journalism...

[King]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire You are happy with Greg Chappell giving out interviews left, right and center I presume Birbal? Crickinfo has reported so many interviews from Greg, Vengsarkar it is getting a tad boring to even bother reading them.

[gator]

Re: Chairman of selectors under fire our whole online fan base is based on the tid-bits we get from these guys.... i dont understand, why fans are complaining...... personally, if i manage to read an interview from someone in the team or close to the team, i feel satisfied..... rather than reading dumb articles by people who have no clue how international cricket is different from league cricket.... i wish, our cricketers also give such detailed and long interviews more often....