Sledging part and parcel of game, but not intimidation: Kirmani

Kolkata, Aug 23: Former Indian stumper Syed Kirmani today described sledging as a part and parcel of cricket, but expressed strong disapproval of the tactics being used for "intimidating" and "disturbing" opponent players during matches.
"Sledging was always there. It will be there. It is a part and parcel of the game. Many a times I have seen people sledge, but not on all occasions is it personal sledging," Kirmani told here.
Kirmani, now in the city to conduct a special camp for junior cricketers of Bengal, recalled that he had sledged his teammates on several occasions.
"It may have been for a misfield, or a dropped catch. It is a spontaneous reaction, done on the spur of the moment," he said.
However, he hastened to add that if sledging was practised to intimidate and disturb opponent players, then that could not be a part of the gentleman's game.

"For instance, disturbing a particular player by intimidating him is not fair. Sledging shouldn't be used as a weapon for victory," he said.

Kirmani said though he himself had never resorted to sledging opponents, he often was at the receiving end of such behaviour.

"Those who did it, did so from a deep sense of frustration," he said.
Bureau Report