Defend Murali, Mr Dalmiya

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br />With the boomeranging Murali controversy and the astonishing goings-on in Zimbabwe cricket, the biggest voice in world cricket, India, is all quiet.<br /></div> <div align="left" style="position:relative; left: -2"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="left" border="1" width="25.0%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal"><img src="/photo/732072.cms" alt="/photo/732072.cms" border="0" /><br />Jagmohan Dalmiya</div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal">Ever since the ICC got onto the Muralitharan case regarding the illegality of his action and with Zimbabwean cricket split down the middle by racist intentions of the authorities, no cricket-playing country nor the ICC has taken a forthright stand on the issue, except some players taking snipes at the Lankan spinner.<br /><br />This is the time for the Indian cricket board and its Bhishma Pitamah Jagmohan Dalmiya to play the elder statesman for world cricket. He has the experience and the political acumen. Recall his move to give minnows like Bangladesh Test-playing status. Recall also the inclusion of virtual cricketing non-entities like Holland and Canada into the game. Dalmiya swung the entire controversy of cricketers’ endorsements before the 2003 World Cup in South Africa in favour of Indian players. <br /><br />The BCCI has condemned every team that had sought to wriggle out of tours under the excuse of security, it had trashed umpire Mike Denness for taking a wrongful attitude and action against Indian cricketers. It had even rooted for India to play Pakistan when the public opinion was coloured by the Kargil conflict. <br /><br />The cricketing world is reeling under numerous other controversies, least of all the issue raised by Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly that top ranked nations should not be forced into playing teams that pose no challenge. <br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />Questions are being asked by the fans and yet there is nobody in authority to answer. Surely a decision has to be taken, and taken in a hurry.<br /><br />ICC chairman Ehsan Mani is Dalmiya''s friend. They have to make possible the finding of solutions to all these issues and controversies plaguing the game. No longer can things be allowed to drift. The time to take tough decisions is now.<br /><br />These matters acquire greater urgency in the face of India today not being just one of the best cricket teams in the world, but it is also the leader in terms of resources and influence. Jagmohan Dalmiya has everything going for him. He has to stand up and make India’s voice heard in the cricketing world.<br /><br /><a href="http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/685333.cms">FORUM: Do you agree? Share your opinion</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-690232,right-1.cms"><img src="/photo/732073.cms" alt="/photo/732073.cms" border="0" /></a></div> </div>