Shirkers should be shown the door

SHARJAH, DEC 16: Mohammed Azharuddin is the man who wants to be king again. But the former India captain, the most experienced player in th...

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SHARJAH, DEC 16: Mohammed Azharuddin is the man who wants to be king again. But the former India captain, the most experienced player in the team, needs to be censured in no uncertain terms for some of the most atrocious running between the wickets in the crucial league match against West Indies on Tuesday.

Granted, the side needed runs at a fast clip. But coming in to bat with the team needing just 103 runs from 17 overs should have set his combative juices flowing. But at no time from the instance he stepped on to the turf, till the time he walked off waving his hands about, as if to lay the blame on Rahul Dravid, did Azharuddin look like he wanted to stick around and fight it out in the middle.

The ex-skipper should have been run out off the very first delivery. Over the next few deliveries he kept charging down the pitch for non-existent singles. It was apparent even then that it was only a matter of time before he was caught short of the crease. It came as no surprise when Lewis ran him out.

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Azharuddin’s dismissal dashed Indian hopes. It also ensured that the vultures would now descend on Tendulkar who, in any case, did not cover himself with glory.

Ajay Jadeja was another who could have made a match of it. But his last gasp attempt ended in tragedy.

Indian cricket could do with an infusion of new blood. Pride and self-respect are precious commodities. Those that have no use for these traits must be shown the door. The message must be sent out loud and clear — Shirkers have no place in Indian cricket.