Ganguly's exclusion from 3rd Test against Sri Lanka

Ganguly has been left out of third test squad and, the cricket crazy country is protesting emotionally, albeit overboard methinks. Majority sections of media is vehemently arguing that his omission and the manner of omission is purely political. However, I do not buy into this whole 'victim of politics' thing. I understand the thought process behind his exclusion and I think the selectors cannot make every discussion public. Having said that, I would like to see Ganguly get a chance when he has proven in domestic cricket. Whether domestic cricket bowling is good enough to judge his performance is altogether a different discussion.

Majority of the media wants a news item because this one is much closer to real news than 'parents pleading to kids to come back on TV' type of paid news item. In my opinion, Times of India article about discussing Ganguly vs. Agarkar is just one more example of poor quality of ToI. The journalist is trying to create content with no thought at all.

Well, two other important things are playing a role in this emotional outburst. This gives opposition (including left parties and Dalmiya) a reason to get back at the newly elected President of BCCI, Sharad Pawar. Second, Ganguly's PR/Marketing firms have hedged bets on his career to last till 2007 - for them to get returns, they have to keep the oven as hot as possible!

The reality remains that the management is giving importance to team development than individual honour and past performances. Of course, I will have to eat my words if selectors don't use the same stick for others.