Former Test cricketers on Thursday slammed the national selectors for dropping the experienced Sourav Ganguly from the Test squad, saying the country's most successful captain does not deserve to be humiliated in such a manner.
A day after Ganguly was axed from the team for the third Test against Sri Lanka, the cricket fraternity came out in support of the deposed captain, terming the decision of the selectors "unfair and illogical".
Former Test batsman Mohinder Amarnath, who once called the selectors a bunch of jokers, said Ganguly should not have been humiliated in such a way and went to the extent of calling for the introduction of a new selection format to ensure that the panel functions properly.
"You don't disgrace a senior player like this. Things will change only with a smaller selection panel and no honorary jobs. Selectors should be paid, so that eminent people take it up," he said.
Another former Test batsman and national coach, Sandeep Patil, said he felt sorry for Ganguly as he himself had gone through a similar experience.
"It's a bold, while at the same time, tough decision that has been taken by the selection committee. Like in life, you have to go forward in cricket too. I feel sorry for Sourav, as I have also gone through such an experence," Patil said.
"I don't know what exactly was discussed at the meeting involving the selectors, coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid.
"Public response is one thing, but it would have been better had the chairman (Kiran More) told the media much more than what he said on why such a decision was taken involving such a senior cricketer who had performed well," Patil added.
He said there would not have been such an uproar if Gautam Gambhir was dropped.
"If they had dropped Gambhir then nothing would have happened, as he had failed a few times and he's young too.
"At the same time it should be kept in mind that there are players like Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina who are waiting for their chances. There's lot of competition for middle order places in the team which is a brilliant sign.
"But, if they talk about the future, then why do the rules apply to only one person and not others like Venkatsai Laxman and even Virender Sehwag, who fails consistently. You can't have two sets of rules."
Patil felt that Ganguly certainly has it in him to make a comeback like Mohinder Amarnath and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Former India skipper Chandu Borde expressed shock and disappointment at the decision, particularly after the Bengal batsman performed well in the Delhi Test.
"This is not the way to treat a person who has done so much for the country as captain and player.
"In the first instance they recalled him into the team after he forced his way through with his performance in domestic cricket, and they have dumped him despite performing well in the Test. This is not done," he said.
"They have dropped Ganguly, a midde-order batsman, and brought in an opener (Wasim Jaffer). Where's the logic? They called him a batting all-rounder and he did not bowl a single over in the Test match. Can you explain this?" Borde asked.
"If you justify the decision by saying it was done with the future of Indian cricket in view, then the same logic needs to be applied to others too. Why only Sourav?"
Borde said Ganguly is an outstanding cricketer and capable of forcing his way back into the team.
"He's a fighter and has shown fighting qualities in the past, like he did when he forced his way in through the Duleep Trophy game".
Spin legend E A S Prasanna said dropping Ganguly defied logic and a senior cricketer should not be treated so shabbily.
"I am shocked. I don't think he should have been treated like this. He performed quite well in the Delhi Test [against Sri Lanka]. Dropping him from the third Test defies logic.
"He has served Indian cricket for years. You can't treat such a cricketer so shabbily," he said.
Former India coach Madan Lal said, "It is a very wrong way of expelling him. He should have been given one chance; he should have been allowed to play in the third Test.
"He should take it boldly and should not give up if he has the ambition to play for India. He is capable and he will bounce back."
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar also saw no logic behind Ganguly's dropping.
"I don't understand why he has been dropped. He had scored runs in both the innings. I guess the reasons are other than cricket," he said.
BCCI president Sharad Pawar, however, distanced himself from the controversy.
"Selection of players is the sole discretion of the selection committee and we have nothing to do in that," he said.