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Posted by GNS_IndianCricketFan on (October 31 2008, 19:37 PM GMT)

At the end of the day, it comes down to overall performance. If any person had to choose the 11 best players to represent India on the day and for the series, would we choose any differently than the selectors? Would you be willing to bet your life on it? I think we can respect those that have contributed to the game and represented country without assuming that they are "permanent fixtures" just because they have performed in the distant past. As a fan of Sachin, I believe this is what he is getting at (respect him for his contributions) and if the selectors see fit to pick him or Dravid or Ganguly or Laxman as the best to represent the country respect that as well. Do not presume to judge when any of them should retire, that is entirely their choice (no tells you that you should retire because you are going through a rough patch do they?), just as not selecting them for the series is a choice for the selectors.

Posted by switchgrind68 on (October 31 2008, 06:17 AM GMT)

I'm sure deep down inside Sachin might not be as surprised by Ganguly's decision to call it quits as he has known him for years as a team mate and more importantly as an opening partner. Sachin surely must've seen the constant humiliation faced by Sourav because of various selectors and coaches. The point about 'respecting seniors' made by Sachin is very important especially in Ganguly's case beccause he's the one man who instilled this aggression among the then youngsters i.e Yuvraj, Zaheer, Harbhajan etc. Sourav Ganguly will always be a Hero for youngsters like me and it is great to se him retiring at the perfect time.

Posted by ashikcbe on (October 31 2008, 05:07 AM GMT)

Agreed, retirement is at the seniors' discretion, but selection should be purely based on current form and performance and not on the records they hold. As for supporting the seniors, Sachin had seen a host of seniors retire and being dropped, but hardly issued any statement in their favor and now finding himself in the same situation gives unnecesary media statement

Posted by Vish.Madishetty on (October 30 2008, 21:57 PM GMT)

Indian People, Players and Selectors should give respect to their heroes; NO Indian player can never ever replace Sachin. India cannot win consistently in one day with out senior's performance, because Young Indian Team think they achieved everything by getting into team, but they don't understand that it is the start for them. If we see young players Performance then we should not consider Yuvraj in one-day team also because he is not a consistent player, he plays once in blue moon, for that one game Indian people, Media and selectors wait and pray for. When our seniors were young, they were like FIRE, Unstoppable in 80 %- 90% of the games. That is how we should compare not with the age. Last year Sachin (34yrs) missed 9 Centuries, about this also people, media and Selectors think he is playing for his records… In my view every player should think of making records as well as make India win. Now all I see is whatever Senior does it is wrong because they are above 32.

Posted by theopener on (October 30 2008, 19:09 PM GMT)

Sachin is looking at a very short term future when he talks about seniors know when 2 retire.If he looks at a long term future he will realize that if fab4&kumble retire at same time then there will b period when Indian test cricket will be as feeble as it was b4 fab4 (ie pre 1997) Ganguly made his decision based on future of Indian cricket team.He assured a grooming process for his successor with schn drvd and vvs still around.His dedication to bring ind into cricket superpower has 2 b applauded. He revolutionized Indian cricket, 2 think about it there was never any expectation when india went to play cricket outside subcontinent. He changed that during ausi vs ind clashed and never once back down. No matter whos fan u r u always have to respect him for being a leader of this pack.He started a golden era of Indian cricket. No side dare compete with ausi except ind.stood up to ausi's when no 1 else did or would.So my suggestion is that sachin should think of Ind cricket&not him self..

Posted by hotmale on (October 30 2008, 17:55 PM GMT)

I think sachin is absolutely right and Indians should give respect to their heroes. I dont think any new Indian player can replace Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman or Kumble. They are legends and they have done so much that one can not express that in words. India can play with raina,rohit, yuvraj in one day or 20/20 but in test cricket India can not win consistently with these batsmens. I think India should induct senior players in their cricket team as they are performing brilliantly. Let them decide when to retire from international cricket, i always see a media campaign against senior players in which every tom dick & harry gives his so called expert opinion. The problem i see with Pakistani team is, they lack in "DISCIPLINE" & " HARDWORK". They are very talented & each player can win matches single handedly.. They dont practice, they dont listen to any one including coach. Most of them r rich now and they have indulge in some other activities. There is rift between all players...

Posted by Cricket-Lover on (October 30 2008, 17:53 PM GMT)

All Sachin is saying is that let players not the media decide, who must retire when. Ganguly is top performer in current series and his retirement just because of media pressure is unfortunate. We must respect our heroes and not trounce on them on just one failure. I think the players and the selectors must sit and decide who must play and who mustn't. If Amit Mishra is better than Kumble then give Kumble a respectful exit. If any xyz is better than Ganguly/Dravid/Laxman/Sachin then let these greats go,. but dont throw them out.. let them retire honorably. Having said that.. where is the replacement?? Do we have a bench strength stronger than the Fab four? Get these answers and then think of replacement. Personally, I want them to continue atleast 2 more years.

Posted by indiandiehardfan on (October 30 2008, 17:50 PM GMT)

Sachin should realise that playing cricket for country should be privilege not right.matches are not won on the past performances or seniority. He should be honest and tell us after his glory days -90-98- how many crucial contributions he has made. It has been very few and too little also. Watch out for this series.he would be satisfied to make 50-60 odds but no where he is going to dominate. I, like many other, have been great fan of him, but, now i feel that he is overstaying. He should be thankful to media and all cricket lovers for showering lots of love and giving demi-god status. Gavasker and Shastri are big politicians and whenever they give interview they would tell Sachin should play 2011 worldcup. Sachin should be careful of these fellows- if he follow them then he will also go in Kapil, Shastri way...being booed by public.When someone like Sanjay manjarker brings the truth, he has been criticized.Sourav has willingly/unwillingly taken a good decision.Sachin must follow th

Posted by lovercric on (October 30 2008, 17:38 PM GMT)

I am not really sure what the real fuss is all about. Let the younger players prove that they can play test cricket. If you just go by statistics, even Dhoni cannot find a place in Indian Test Team by his performances. So people who call for heads of the Indian seniors, please think about their replacements and what they have done in the tests/longer version of the game. This is the most balanced Indian test team that I have seen in a long time with two very good openers (no makeshift openers) and a very strong middle order and very good bowlers. I am not sure if you can replace Ganguly by any other person (probably ony for his fielding..) immediately. There is a huge difference between one-day, 20/20 and test cricket. You can ask Yuvraj and he will tell you guys. So please wait till these cricket giants retire and don't force them out. Till that just watch them and have fun because it will not last for ever. Sachin, We love you and the rest of the seniors.

Posted by fgoodie on (October 30 2008, 16:54 PM GMT)

Why was he not surprised when Saurav was not selected and humiliated in the last 4 years. I find this comment very funny. If he is surprised now,I am not sure why he was not surprised when Saurav Ganguly was repeatedly dropped,insulted, humiliated in the last 3 or 4 years by different selection panels. Ganguly said he has retired because he was tired of consistent humiliation. I have not seen any comments from Sachin supporting Ganguly at any of those times. Now that Saurav is all done with, here comes a statement which in no ways helps Saurav. In fact even this is working out in his favour. He is asking selectors and people to treat him and the rest of the seniors with respect. Its really said, that when players/people say that "Let the seniors decide what they want to do". If that is the case why do we need selectors for. P.S. I am not a fan of ganguly by any means, I only want people to apply the same yardstick to every one. No one is above the game itself.