Mongia issue discussed in the open

Wicket keeper batsman Nayan Mongia was dropped following an ugly incident in public between the Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and the selectors just about 30 minutes before the toss on the opening day of third Test between India and Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Instead of discussing the issue of Mongia between the Indian captain and selectors in the dressing room, the discussions in the form of arguments and counter-arguments were held before the public in the pavilion area.

Though Mongia was backed by the selectors, Ganguly stuck to his stand that the batsman was not completely fit and that Sameer Dighe should be included in the eleven. While the selectors insisted on playing Mongia, better sense prevailed only after coach John Wright and team physio, Andrew Leipus backed Ganguly.

However, the action of the selectors in upsetting Ganguly just before the commencement of the match was considered by Board officials, who were present, as a "wrong thing" which could affect the mental preparation of the captain.