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No way to treat a senior

It was the most shocking news of the fortnight gone by. I refer to the sending home of India's most experienced - and possibly one the world's best -- wicketkeeper, Nayan Mongia, from Australia by the Indian think-tank

. Shocking apart, it was, perhaps, the most humiliating thing that's ever happened in Indian cricket. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it could well be the blackest day in Indian cricket history. And if this outrageous act is allowed to be swept under the carpet by the big-wigs who enjoy the majority in the Board, they would be doing not only a disservice but causing untold harm to the game.

How can a player -- and a senior one at that -- be asked to go home without playing a game, and when there is still a Test to go in the series? Was it in any way proper to treat a Test cricketer in so poor a fashion? It was a disgraceful decision all right, and whoever had taken it should be condemned by one and all.

At the outset, it was wrong to have dropped Mongia from the original squad as he is, without an iota of doubt, the best in India. Besides, on a tour to Australia, I think it is very important to have two wicketkeepers rather than just one. Think of the hassles it would cause if your lone, specialised, keeper got himself injured in the midst of the tour. First of all it would be difficult to fly in somebody from thousands of miles away at short notice. Then, that somebody would have to get acclimatised to the conditions abroad, and that would take a week if not more.

I believe it is wrong to ask a non-wicketkeeper to keep wickets in case an emergency rises. Wicketkeeping, after all, is a highly specialised job, and a physically demanding one as well. And, wouldn't it also be wrong to expect a big innings from a batsman who has kept wickets in the entire duration of a Test innings. God forbid, but if Prasad is sidelined due to injury, India would be hardpressed to find a replacement for him Down Under.

What's more, if Mongia is not liked by certain people who call the shots, I think it is very important for the president of the Board to intervene and put a full stop to such nonsense. Rather unfortunately, though, we haven't heard a word from the Board chief about this sorry episode.

No one knows what crime poor Mongia has committed to receive such demanding treatment. And it is the Board president who can find that out by getting to the bottom of this, if he is interested in the well-being of the game in the country. One hopes he takes the appropriate steps to ensure such a thing does not happen again, and sees to it that cricketers are treated with more respect and dignity.

Looking back on the distressing occurrence, what I'd like to know is if the Indian think-tank did not want Mongia in the first place itself, why the hell was he sent all the way to Australia? Or, is it that they asked for somebody else? On the other hand, if he was sent by the selectors, then, I feel, they should be complimented for the right decision.

As far as cricketing matters are concerned, I wholeheartedly support the decision of the Indian team to field first in both the Test matches. That their bowlers failed to capitalise on the tremendous advantage of bowling first on wickets which were not only bouncy, but had a fair amount of moisture as well, is another story altogether and one that shows the Indian attack in poor light.

Under the circumstances. Any team in world cricket would have opted to bowl first. Surely, at Adelaide, the Aussies just scrapped through after struggling early in the innings. And, at Melbourne, it was only the gritty approach of their batsmen that saw them put on a formidable total.

The Melbourne Test was marred by rain and considerable time was lost in the bargain. That invited the suggestion that the match should be continued under floodlights, which, of course, was turned down by the Indian team, and quite wisely so. It is very difficult to spot the red ball under the lights. And while fielding too, the ball can get lost in the background, especially for fielders stationed near the fence. Test cricket under floodlights? Not unless the ICC amends the rules and cricketers are ordered to wear coloured clothing and play with a white ball!

Thus far, then, India have made some wise and some not-so-wise decisions. Let's hope by the end of the tour they arrive at decisions that will, by and large, help the game in the country and the gentlemen who play it.

Dilip Vengsarkar