'Both Ganguly, Chappell to blame'

Former India Test opening batsman Chetan Chauhan feels the ongoing controversy between India's cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and coach Greg Chappell should be resolved amicably.

Speaking to rediff.com in New Delhi on Monday, Chauhan said it would be improper for either of them to resign and make the issue prestigious.

Also Read Chappell's e-mail to the BCCI chief Prem's blog Column: Sad & sickening state of affairs

"It would be sad day for the Indian cricket if either the coach or captain is asked to put in his papers. It would not only have repercussions on the team, but go beyond that. In case Chappell is sacked it would have international repercussions. No doubt the Indian captain has done well over the years, but one has to keep in mind that Chappell is a big name in international cricket," he said.

Who would you blame for creating such an unpleasant situation?

"I would blame both. But the captain would have to share the blame more, because it was he who brought the dressing room discussions before the media, which in turn blew them out of proportion in the name of investigative journalism."

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Raj Singh Dungarpur has blamed Jagmohan Dalmiya for leaking Chappell's e-mail to a selected journalist in Kolkata. What do you have to say about that?

"I am not aware of the full facts about the leakage of the e-mail of the coach to the media but it is decidedly someone who had access to the e-mail account of BCCI president Ranbir Singh Mahendra who did this. I have read the full e-mail, as printed in one of the papers, and nowhere has the coach suggested that Ganguly should step down during the Zimbabawe series. Instead, he wrote that Ganguly should seriously think about the captaincy issue after the series.

"On Tuesday the BCCI review committee would be assisted by three former Indian captains who will hear the coach and captain separately. To my mind, the two should be given two days' time to sort out their differences and then come before the Board. We have time and it should be resolved by the two persons involved in the controversy."