"When I saw Mithali Raj being dropped, I said 'Welcome to the group'": Sourav Ganguly

[Hitman]

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is not surprised at the women's cricket team's decision to drop senior most player Mithali Raj for its World T20 semi-final against England, saying he faced the same fate when he was at the peak of his career.

Mithali, the ODI captain, had two back-to-back fifties against Pakistan and Ireland but was rested for the final league game against Australia due to a knee issue and also didn't feature in India's eight-wicket semifinal loss to England.

"No! I also have also sat in the dug out after captaining India. When I saw Mithali Raj being dropped, I said 'Welcome to the group'," Ganguly said at the Tollygunge Club here.

"Captains are asked to sit, so just do it. I have done it in Faisalabad. I didn't play an ODI game for 15 months when I was probably the best performer in one-day cricket. It happens in life. The best in the world are at times shown the door," the 46-year-old said recalling the 2006 second Test against Pakistan.


Ganguly, however, said it's not the end of the road for Mithali.

"You should always remember you're best because you did something and there's an opportunity again. So I am not too disappointed seeing Mithali Raj being asked to sit out. I have not been disappointed to see the reactions on the ground," he said.

"But I am disappointed because India lost the semifinals because I thought they had the team to go the distance. It happens as they say there's no guarantee in life"

Commenting on World Cup-winning former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, whose form is on the wane of late, Ganguly said he still has the power in him to hit big sixes and should be allowed to go on a high.

"He's another champion. Fantastic career for 12-13 years since winning the World Twenty 20. Just like everyone else he has to perform. There's one must in life: whatever job you do, wherever you are, whatever age you have, how much experience you have you have to keep performing at the top level otherwise someone else will take your place," he said.

"I wish him all the luck because we want champions to go on a high. I still feel he can hit the ball in the stands. He's a phenomenal cricketer," Ganguly said.

Asked about his take on the 2019 World Cup lineup, Ganguly said: "I am not a selector but I expect 85-90 per cent of this team to play in the World Cup."

Talking on India skipper Virat Kohli, Ganguly said: "He's phenomenal. Look at his numbers. He wears his hat on his sleeves and India needs a captain like him for whom winning means everything. I wish him all the luck."

A 145-page report by the Ethics Centre review into Australian Cricket has refuted the "mistaken" view that CA had overseen a 'win at all costs' policy.

With their series against Australia already underway Ganguly said winning at all costs should be the way but players should not cross the line.

"Nobody wants to go there and lose. In your journey to the tag of winning-at-all-costs, you can still behave, you can still do the right things by not crossing the line. Lot of champions have done it. Look at Rahul Dravid, Steve Waugh," Ganguly said, adding that the Aussies have to "be careful" of not repeating another ball-tampering scandal.

Link: http://www.newindianexpress.com/spo...ropped-at-my-peak-sourav-ganguly-1903125.html

 

[Hitman]

I have lots of admiration for Dada. But it's this entitled attitude of his that gets on my nerve. Best performer in ODI cricket when he was dropped? Does he even know what his performance was like since 2003 in both Tests and ODI's?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Didnt rate him too highly as an ODI player esp later on in his career.

As for Raj being dropped, a very foolish decision. England won easily in the end.

 

[Zaz]

Nothing to see here He shouldve stuck on commenting on mithali alone without banging his own drums

Another egoistic ex player who had a high sense of entitlement

 

[gazza619]

I have lots of admiration for Dada. But it's this entitled attitude of his that gets on my nerve. Best performer in ODI cricket when he was dropped? Does he even know what his performance was like since 2003 in both Tests and ODI's?

Yup he was very much past his prime. His reflexes had gotten really slow. I think he wanted to end his career on a high and that still hurts him.

 

[the_outsider]

I have lots of admiration for Dada. But it's this entitled attitude of his that gets on my nerve. Best performer in ODI cricket when he was dropped? Does he even know what his performance was like since 2003 in both Tests and ODI's?

He might be talking about getting dropped during the CB series in 2008. Although from the transcript it seems he is talking about 2005 which indeed is surprising because he was in very bad form that year.

 

[ezhil]

Ganguly a liar.best player around 2005-2006?

 

[MP2011]

Ganguly is such a drama queen. Mithali was rightly dropped, always played selfishly. Just because we lost the SF doesn't make that a bad decision.

 

[Hitman]

He might be talking about getting dropped during the CB series in 2008. Although from the transcript it seems he is talking about 2005 which indeed is surprising because he was in very bad form that year.

He mentions the Faisalabad Test in late 2005. He must have been joking. He averaged 32.65 at an SR of 69.88 in 2004. In 2005, he averaged 17.41 at an SR of 54.71 with 1 half century in 13 innings.

How could he make that statement with a straight face is beyond me.

 

[BreadPakoda]

The chip on the shoulder is heavy and its understandable.

I love Dada but unfortunately for him, there were very few memorable moments in his career, as a player or even as a captain as compared to say a Dhoni or even Dravid. Despite establishing a good team, he never won a world cup or even an iconic test series (barring 2001 Vs Australia, but that was at home).

The three big AWAY test series India won in the 2000s, which were India's highlight of the decade, all had Dravid as captain - England (2007), WI (2006), and Pakistan (2003) (Dravid captained 2/3 games with the famous SRT 194* declaration)

As a player, he was overshadowed by SRT, Dravid, and Laxman who were all better than him.

When he was dropped in 2005, he was bad and painful to watch.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Not to forget Dravid bossed two of those series as a batsman.

In the WI one, as India won 1-0 (4), with SRT missing, Dravid was spectacular. Especially on treacherous pitch on which India won the last game, across the two innings, he made 150 runs of the 370 his team made. The next best batsman across both teams didn't even make half the runs. This is when a commentator praising the gulf in his and others' technique mentioned that Dravid can bat on a cliff. India won a series in WI after 35 years. RD was the MoS.

Against Pakistan, while Sehwag destroyed Pakistan's bowling by scoring 438, Dravid was the next best with 309 and with a MoM winning double century in the decider. In the ODI series that India won, Dravid was India's highest scorer.

Lol, sounds more like a Dravid post than Dada post.

 

[cricketindiafan]

And how exactly would Anil Kumble have felt when Ganguly benched him all through the 2003 world cup and preferred Dinesh Mongia?

How would Rahul Dravid have felt when Ganguly forced him to keep wickets?

Great to indulge in such theatrics assuming public memory is short but Dada was a dictator as a captain and did as he pleased.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Not to forget Dravid bossed two of those series as a batsman.

In the WI one, as India won 1-0 (4), with SRT missing, Dravid was spectacular. Especially on treacherous pitch on which India won the last game, across the two innings, he made 150 runs of the 370 his team made. The next best batsman across both teams didn't even make half the runs. This is when a commentator praising the gulf in his and others' technique mentioned that Dravid can bat on a cliff. India won a series in WI after 35 years. RD was the MoS.

Against Pakistan, while Sehwag destroyed Pakistan's bowling by scoring 438, Dravid was the next best with 309 and with a MoM winning double century in the decider. In the ODI series that India won, Dravid was India's highest scorer.

Lol, sounds more like a Dravid post than Dada post.

He isn't comparable to Dravid(or Sachin)

Even VVS was a better test batsman than him and it was VVS who was unfairly treated at that time
He was mainwstsy in the odi team from 2001 Aus series to NZ tour 2002-03 & had done fairly well but got dropped for failing on Green mambas of NZ where almost everyone failed for Dinesh Mongia
Then after the return
He had an excellent 2003-04 season where he contributed in some of our important wins which included 2 match inning 100s against Aus & also a match winning 100 in the series decider against Pak
But then VVS had couple of bad series & was dropped again whereas Dada who was consistently failing remained in the team
In that period Dada was tortorous to watch & cost us important matches with his slow batting
2 of his worst knocks were-
Rawalpindi Odi against Pak In 2004 where he got 15(38) chasing 330,
India lost by 10-12 runs

Triseires final against SL in SL
Where he got 26(50) or something like that where he sucked all the momentum despite the brilliant start provided by Sehwag

 

[RyanRyan10]

I respect Dada for his contribution for Indian cricket
He is an Indian great
But the period of which he is talking about was where he was a weak link of the team
Even MS Dhoni of these days was better than Dada of that period
after his comeback he did fine and it was pleasing to see him sign off with a series win against the strong Aussie side where he made some contributions

 

[Varun]

The three big AWAY test series India won in the 2000s, which were India's highlight of the decade, all had Dravid as captain - England (2007), WI (2006), and Pakistan (2003) (Dravid captained 2/3 games with the famous SRT 194* declaration)

To play devil's advocate, the 1-1 draws in England (2002) and Australia (2003) were no mean feat.

Look at the current lot's performance in these places.

 

[cricketindiafan]

He isn't comparable to Dravid(or Sachin)

Even VVS was a better test batsman than him and it was VVS who was unfairly treated at that time
He was mainwstsy in the odi team from 2001 Aus series to NZ tour 2002-03 & had done fairly well but got dropped for failing on Green mambas of NZ where almost everyone failed for Dinesh Mongia
Then after the return
He had an excellent 2003-04 season where he contributed in some of our important wins which included 2 match inning 100s against Aus & also a match winning 100 in the series decider against Pak
But then VVS had couple of bad series & was dropped again whereas Dada who was consistently failing remained in the team
In that period Dada was tortorous to watch & cost us important matches with his slow batting
2 of his worst knocks were-
Rawalpindi Odi against Pak In 2004 where he got 15(38) chasing 330,
India lost by 10-12 runs

Triseires final against SL in SL
Where he got 26(50) or something like that where he sucked all the momentum despite the brilliant start provided by Sehwag

Actually had Dada allowed VVS to bat at 5 from 2001-2005, VVS would have scored 10000+ runs and 25+ 100s. So many times he was left stranded batting with the tail while Dada failed test after test.

 

[BreadPakoda]

To play devil's advocate, the 1-1 draws in England (2002) and Australia (2003) were no mean feat.

Look at the current lot's performance in these places.

Agreed! Those were good achievements too and more importantly Ganguly played a huge role in building the team in the first place. But unfortunately draws pale in comparison to wins, especially ones that come after 35 years. As a result, Ganguly has fewer memorable moments in the game.

Losing Champions trophy, WC 2003 finals didn't help either. In fact, India won only 1 and lost 10 tournament finals under Ganguly. That's surely not a good record to have.

 

[BreadPakoda]

In fact, India won only 1 and lost 10 tournament finals under Ganguly. That's surely not a good record to have.

Ironically, the one we won was the most iconic moment of Dada's career. And one of the most iconic for Lord's as well.

And its not as if the tournament losses were only due to the ATG Ozzies. We lost 3 to them, 3 to Lankans, 2 to NZ, 1 to WI, and 1 to SA. We were just bad overall.

 

[the_outsider]

He mentions the Faisalabad Test in late 2005. He must have been joking. He averaged 32.65 at an SR of 69.88 in 2004. In 2005, he averaged 17.41 at an SR of 54.71 with 1 half century in 13 innings.

How could he make that statement with a straight face is beyond me.

That is exactly why I said that there might have been some misunderstanding about what he was referring to.

Because earlier to I have heard him talk about how he was dropped from the ODI team in peak form and that time he spoke about CB series.

Everyone knows Ganguly. He is a pretty sharp guy. So I'm having a hard time believing that he said this.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Ganguly was a legendary ODI batsman between 1997-2001. He had Kohlisque record with some 19 centuries in those 5 years and was by far the best ODI batsman in that period. Infact, apart of 1998, he outscored Sachin in all the other 4 years. Even now in most ODI records, Ganguly is in top 5...such was his impact on those 5 years. But after getting captaincy (especially since 2003 WC), he lost his mojo with the bat and got involved more with team politics/infightings etc. I would still say, Ganguly didnt fulfill his potential.

 

[Hitman]

That is exactly why I said that there might have been some misunderstanding about what he was referring to.

Because earlier to I have heard him talk about how he was dropped from the ODI team in peak form and that time he spoke about CB series.

Everyone knows Ganguly. He is a pretty sharp guy. So I'm having a hard time believing that he said this.

He says that he didn't play ODI cricket for 15 months after he was dropped. After the CB series in Feb, 2008 when he was dropped, he didn't play any ODI cricket at all till his retirement. He is clearly speaking about 2005.

 

[Hitman]

Ganguly was a legendary ODI batsman between 1997-2001. He had Kohlisque record with some 19 centuries in those 5 years and was by far the best ODI batsman in that period. Infact, apart of 1998, he outscored Sachin in all the other 4 years. Even now in most ODI records, Ganguly is in top 5...such was his impact on those 5 years. But after getting captaincy (especially since 2003 WC), he lost his mojo with the bat and got involved more with team politics/infightings etc. I would still say, Ganguly didnt fulfill his potential.

He was a really good Test batsman as well till around 2000. Things changed after he took over captaincy. I mean he still remains a good Test batsman overall, but till 2000 he was better than his overall record suggests.

Regardless, I have lots of admiration for Dada. One needs to read Sachin's book. He speaks so fondly of Dada and how great of a captain he was and how much he backed his players.

 

[Hitman]

Sachin also mentions that Dada worked his tail off for 5 years to build a formidable team.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Anything he says whether its true or not, i don't care. He is the greatest indian captain ever and we love him.
He wasn't in good form when he was dropped but he made one of the best comebacks ever.
He is an iconic player and on par with dhoni as a servant of indian cricket.
Sachin, sehwag, dravid, ganguly, yuvraj, zaheer, bhajji. This team was the greatest indian odi team ever which didn't win the World Cup just bcoz they were against the GREATEST ODI SIDE OF ALL TIME.

 

[the_outsider]

Ironically, the one we won was the most iconic moment of Dada's career. And one of the most iconic for Lord's as well.

And its not as if the tournament losses were only due to the ATG Ozzies. We lost 3 to them, 3 to Lankans, 2 to NZ, 1 to WI, and 1 to SA. We were just bad overall.

Not 3 to SL. Champions Trophy 2000 was shared.

 

[Varun]

Not 3 to SL. Champions Trophy 2000 was shared.

Champions Trophy 2002 was shared. In 2000, NZ beat us in the final. #Fluke

Anyway, which light bulb decided to make Romesh Powar a coach??

 

[BreadPakoda]

Not 3 to SL. Champions Trophy 2000 was shared.

Incorrect. We lost 3.

Coca-Cola Champions Trophy at Sharjah, Oct 29 2000 (India bundled out for 54, lost by 245 runs)
Coca-Cola Cup (Sri Lanka) at Colombo, Aug 5 2001 (lost by 121 runs)
Asia Cup at Colombo, Aug 1 2004 (lost by 25 runs)

 

[BreadPakoda]

Incorrect. We lost 3.

Coca-Cola Champions Trophy at Sharjah, Oct 29 2000 (India bundled out for 54, lost by 245 runs)
Coca-Cola Cup (Sri Lanka) at Colombo, Aug 5 2001 (lost by 121 runs)
Asia Cup at Colombo, Aug 1 2004 (lost by 25 runs)

What's worse, Ganguly made 3, 4, and 1 off total 40 deliveries across the 3 matches.

 

[the_outsider]

Champions Trophy 2002 was shared. In 2000, NZ beat us in the final. #Fluke

Anyway, which light bulb decided to make Romesh Powar a coach??

Correct. Thanks.

 

[MenInG]

Kinda explains the state of Women's game in general when most of the posts on this thread are about Ganguly and very little about Raj!

 

[pmahones]

Go away Saurav.

 

[Mainul]

I have lots of admiration for Dada. But it's this entitled attitude of his that gets on my nerve. Best performer in ODI cricket when he was dropped? Does he even know what his performance was like since 2003 in both Tests and ODI's?

Yes, Dada averaged 28 in 43 ODI innings in that period(2004,2005). But Sachin also averaged only 27 in 15 tests in 2012 and 2013. But was he dropped? No. Why this double standard in Indian cricket?

 

[the_outsider]

Yes, Dada averaged 28 in 43 ODI innings in that period(2004,2005). But Sachin also averaged only 27 in 15 tests in 2012 and 2013. But was he dropped? No. Why this double standard in Indian cricket?

Well, to be fair, Sachin retired after that anyway.

And that 2012-13 period came at the end of Sachin's career when he was 38/39 years old. Not in the middle of his career like it was with Ganguly.

I am a die hard Dada fan obviously but even I can't agree that this comparison is legitimate.

PS: plus players like Sachin, Warne, Lara will always get a longer rope. There is nothing unfair about it. There has to be some upside to being the best right? You can't expect the no 1 batsman in the world to be treated the same way as the no 15 batsman in the world. That's not fair.

 

[MP2011]

Kinda explains the state of Women's game in general when most of the posts on this thread are about Ganguly and very little about Raj!

This!

Likewise, women's tennis as well isn't much to write about except for Serena. Previous decades had ATGs like Steffi, Evert, Martina, Hingis but not any longer.

Longevity is a big issue in women's sports.

 

[BreadPakoda]

This!

Likewise, women's tennis as well isn't much to write about except for Serena. Previous decades had ATGs like Steffi, Evert, Martina, Hingis but not any longer.

Longevity is a big issue in women's sports.

I don't think this is what MIG meant.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Yes, Dada averaged 28 in 43 ODI innings in that period(2004,2005). But Sachin also averaged only 27 in 15 tests in 2012 and 2013. But was he dropped? No. Why this double standard in Indian cricket?

From 2007-2011, Sachin scored ~5000 runs@60 with 16 100s in 50 tests and was batting as well as he ever did. IIRC he even was the word number 1 batsmen fora number of weeks during that period of time. SHould have reitred in 2011, but obviously extended his career for the 100th 100. His form tapered off and he was forced to retire.

Dada on the other hand never had such peaks and hence had a shorter rope.

 

[Dulex9]

India lost TV5 cup final in 2003 and a few more finals I believe in 2004-2005 period, especially the VB series final 2004. So in all India won 1/14 finals. The other best chance is where India scored 290 and NZ just went for it and won.

He did win a series against an ATG rampaging Australia side in 2001, drew 1-1 against a strong English side, won us 2002 natwest series throphy, champions throphy 2002 was drawn and backed youngstars and also saved Dravid from being dropped by asking him to take the gloves.

Yes it was painful to watch him being dropped.

 

[Dulex9]

Also Ganguly drew 1-1 in Australia in 2004.

 

[MP2011]

I don't think this is what MIG meant.

He meant that women’s cricket isn’t much popular these days which is true as it is devoid of stars. Same as women’s tennis these days.

 

[MP2011]

Also Ganguly drew 1-1 in Australia in 2004.

India's resurgence in that series was started by Ganguly with a strokeful 144 at Gabba after all the trash talk by Australian speedsters about chin music for Indian batsmen.

 

[MP2011]

SHould have reitred in 2011, but obviously extended his career for the 100th 100. His form tapered off and he was forced to retire

Any proof of that? Did Tendulkar tell you that personally? Or did Sandeep Patil, then chairman of selectors told you that Tendulkar was forced to retire?

 

[Mainul]

Well, to be fair, Sachin retired after that anyway.

And that 2012-13 period came at the end of Sachin's career when he was 38/39 years old. Not in the middle of his career like it was with Ganguly.

I am a die hard Dada fan obviously but even I can't agree that this comparison is legitimate.

PS: plus players like Sachin, Warne, Lara will always get a longer rope. There is nothing unfair about it. There has to be some upside to being the best right? You can't expect the no 1 batsman in the world to be treated the same way as the no 15 batsman in the world. That's not fair.

I disagree. Country is above any individuals. If any player ,how much he is big, acts like selfish and plays and prologs his career only for the sake of 200th test match and 100th century ,it is the duty of the board to show him the door. Infact Sachin lost all my respect from 2011 onwards. Lara,Warne didn't act selfish like Sachin. Thats why Sangakkara is so great. He retired at the peak. Cook retired with a hundred. Pakistan dropped Wasim,Waqar when they were not firing. Dada got the treat which he deserved,Sachin didnt

 

[the_outsider]

I disagree. Country is above any individuals. If any player ,how much he is big, acts like selfish and plays and prologs his career only for the sake of 200th test match and 100th century ,it is the duty of the board to show him the door. Infact Sachin lost all my respect from 2011 onwards. Lara,Warne didn't act selfish like Sachin. Thats why Sangakkara is so great. He retired at the peak. Cook retired with a hundred. Pakistan dropped Wasim,Waqar when they were not firing. Dada got the treat which he deserved,Sachin didnt

Lara's 400 doesn't ring a bell? Or Warne publicly slaggin Waugh for dropping him from a game for not performing? Cook was just as bad in his last 2 years as Sachin was. Yet, he was sent off like a hero. Why? Only because he scored 40-50 more runs than Sachin in their respective last innings?

 

[JaDed]

I disagree. Country is above any individuals. If any player ,how much he is big, acts like selfish and plays and prologs his career only for the sake of 200th test match and 100th century ,it is the duty of the board to show him the door. Infact Sachin lost all my respect from 2011 onwards. Lara,Warne didn't act selfish like Sachin. Thats why Sangakkara is so great. He retired at the peak. Cook retired with a hundred. Pakistan dropped Wasim,Waqar when they were not firing. Dada got the treat which he deserved,Sachin didnt

Yes your respect is what Sachin was looking for.

 

[MP2011]

Yes your respect is what Sachin was looking for.

Lol, this.

 

[troodon]

Ganguly holds a lot of grudges. He feels entitled for a lot of things. He is a good player. But he thinks he was a superstar. Not even close.

 

[MP2011]

Ganguly holds a lot of grudges. He feels entitled for a lot of things. He is a good player. But he thinks he was a superstar. Not even close.

He was lucky to be tagged in fab-4. Yes, he was a great ODI bat. But his test exploits easily paled in front of rest 3.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Yes your respect is what Sachin was looking for.

Hahahaha

He is showing his brotherhood for his fellow Bengali

 

[Mainul]

Yes your respect is what Sachin was looking for.

Sachin is looking for your comment on him in Pakpassion

 

[Mainul]

Lara's 400 doesn't ring a bell? Or Warne publicly slaggin Waugh for dropping him from a game for not performing? Cook was just as bad in his last 2 years as Sachin was. Yet, he was sent off like a hero. Why? Only because he scored 40-50 more runs than Sachin in their respective last innings?

Please don't deviate yourself from the main focus. There is no relation of Lara's 400 with my comment on prolonging career. Lara's 400 was a record in test,still it is. Any player including Sachin only can dream of it. We are lucky that Sachin didnt pronlong his career for the search of a tripple hundred in test. Lara's record in his last 2 years : 19 tests 1859 runs @53 with 8 hundreds including a double. And yet he stopped and retired. Lara is a true champion, true king of the game,he retired at the right time before starting of any fuss or criticism. Just get out of blind Sachin love and accept the truth. Now Warne in his last 2 years : 145 wickets in 24 tests @24. Just mind blowing performance by these two greats. And Cook? Yes,he was a bit off color but a lot better performer than Sachin. 21 tests nearly 1500 runs @38 with 3 hundreds including a double. Considering that he is an opener, this stat is not bad at all.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Ganguly holds a lot of grudges. He feels entitled for a lot of things. He is a good player. But he thinks he was a superstar. Not even close.

Wasn't he a superstar? I am sure you have followed indian cricket pre 2000 and post 2000. Lots of cricketers who haven't done jack for indian cricket think of themselves as a superstar these days and you have problem with someone like Saurav Ganguly lol?

 

[Peshwa]

Wasn't he a superstar? I am sure you have followed indian cricket pre 2000 and post 2000. Lots of cricketers who haven't done jack for indian cricket think of themselves as a superstar these days and you have problem with someone like Saurav Ganguly lol?

Refreshing post
Good you didn't drag Pandya in this thread

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Refreshing post
Good you didn't drag Pandya in this thread

You did. You can't blame me now.

Hardik Pandya is one of those players who have done jack in international cricket and already think of themselves as superstars. I mean if Ganguly isn't a superstar than who is Pandya in front of him?

 

[the_outsider]

Please don't deviate yourself from the main focus. There is no relation of Lara's 400 with my comment on prolonging career. Lara's 400 was a record in test,still it is. Any player including Sachin only can dream of it. We are lucky that Sachin didnt pronlong his career for the search of a tripple hundred in test. Lara's record in his last 2 years : 19 tests 1859 runs @53 with 8 hundreds including a double. And yet he stopped and retired. Lara is a true champion, true king of the game,he retired at the right time before starting of any fuss or criticism. Just get out of blind Sachin love and accept the truth. Now Warne in his last 2 years : 145 wickets in 24 tests @24. Just mind blowing performance by these two greats. And Cook? Yes,he was a bit off color but a lot better performer than Sachin. 21 tests nearly 1500 runs @38 with 3 hundreds including a double. Considering that he is an opener, this stat is not bad at all.

Yes there definitely is. What is more selfish? Playing matches thinking (either correctly or incorrectly) that you can still win matches for the team? Or playing for your personal milestone knowing full well that a pursuit of it would definitely rule out a win for your team?

I will not bother with addressing the rest of the post because you have to first ask yourself what a selfish act really is.

And you must make sure that you can properly identify what a truly selfish act (one with forethought) is.

Sachin may very well have faltered in his last 18 months or so. But you don't know if it's because he simply wanted to reach 200 or if, till the 200th game he genuinely thought he still could compete at the highest level. Whether he succeeded or not is irrelevant because one can never know that unless the attempt is made.

As it turns out, Sachin's powers had indeed waned. But that by no means proves that his motives were selfish.

Brian Lara's motive behind his 400 was, however, without a shadow of a doubt, selfish. Because Lara knew exactly what the consequences of his actions would be.