It is disappointing: Arun Lal on Shastri-Ganguly spat

Former India cricketer Arun Lal on Saturday chose to term the ongoing spat between former national team director Ravi Shastri and ex-captain Sourav Ganguly as "disappointing."

Shastri had lashed out at Ganguly a few days back after he was overlooked for the Indian team chief coach's job. Leg-spin legend Anil Kumble was selected by the three-member Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) cricket advisory panel which consists of Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman and Ganguly.

"Nothing surprises me in Indian cricket anymore. A member of the committee (Ganguly) wasn't present and that was disrespectful to the selection process," Shastri had told media.

"A person was disrespectful of a candidate who he was going to interview. He was disrespectful to the job he was entrusted with."

Ganguly who had to leave for the Cricket Association of Bengal working committee meeting during Shastri's interview later took on the former Indian all-rounder saying he was living in a "fool's world".

"I also have an advice for Shastri, when the coach of India is selected, which is one of the high-profile jobs, he should be in front of the committee giving his presentation and not sit in Bangkok on a holiday and make a presentation on camera. We can understand family commitments, understand emergencies, but not holidays on the beach," Ganguly had said.

Lal, a renowned commentator, however, believes the statements were taken out of context by both former players.

"Actually it's not for me to comment. Sometimes how words are written does not have the same spirit like how they are said. I know both of them really well and I am grateful to both have major contributions in my life, but it is a little disappointing," Lal told the media here at the Calcutta Sports Journalist Club on the occasion of Worlds Sports Journalist Day.

"Sometimes you get carried away with emotions when you say something and it sounds terrible when written down, I think I will give them a benefit of the doubt.

"Both of them have made huge contributions to Indian cricket," said the 60-year-old who featured in 16 Tests for India.

--IANS

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