Ganguly, Dhaiya suspended; Dravid to lead

By G. Viswanath

MUMBAI, DEC. 12. Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly will not be leading India in the fifth one-day international against Zimbabwe on December 14 at Rajkot. He has been served a one-match suspension with immediate effect by Mr. Barry Jarman, the Match Referee, as punishment for his onfield behaviour in the fourth one-dayer at Kanpur.

According to Mr. Jarman, the Indian skipper has also been served with a two-match suspended suspension, effective from December 11, 2000 to June 1, 2001. Indian wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya, who also attracted the Match Referee's attention for dissent in Kanpur, has been served a one-match suspended suspension. India's victory by nine wickets was marred by frayed tempers on both sides.

``Rahul Dravid will lead India,'' confirmed Mr. J.Y.Lele, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), speaking to The Hindu from Baroda. Meanwhile, skipper Sourav Ganguly, the man in the eye of the storm, commenting on the suspension, said: ``I knew it was coming.''

``Sourav Ganguly, as captain of India, should be setting an example to all cricket lovers throughout the world, not just India. After his promise to me on November 21, 2000 I find it hard to believe that he has acted in this manner,'' said Mr. Jarman, in his report. ``In his favour, he and Vijay Dahiya admitted they were wrong and apologised to umpire Mr. C.K. Sathe. However, I have to impose the suspension. I deliberately haven't imposed a monetary fine as I feel that this does not act as a deterrent.''

Explaining his decision to impose a one-match suspended suspension on wicket-keeper Dahiya, Mr. Jarman states: ``Vijay Dahiya, in my opinion, is fresh on the scene. I hope now he will understand that one does not abuse the spirit of the game.'' The two Indians have been charged with three violations of the Code of Conduct - bringing the game into disrepute, dissent and attempt to intimidate the umpires.

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