Lalu advises compulsory retirement for cricketers

New Delhi, Mar 24: Anguished over the humiliating defeat of Indian cricket team against Sri Lanka in their Do-or-Die World Cup match, President of Bihar Cricket Association Lalu Prasad today said all the members of the team should compulsorily retire. 'The defeat has made it clear that seniors in the team have failed to deliver in the most ignominious manner and it is high time they are replaced by young talents,'' Mr Prasad told reporters on the sidelines of Railway meet here.

The Railway minister said, ''India could learn a lesson or two from Bangladesh which has blooded young talents in the team and the results are there for everyone to see.'' He also appealed to the fans not to give the cricketers a 'God-like' status. ''The members in the current Indian team are a highly pampered lot. They have been deified and idolised by the people of the country. This practice must stop,'' he said.

''Even if we lose, by inducting young talent in the team it at least would not be a disgrace. After all they would at least be able to learn something and gain some expereince.'' The man credited with turning the Rialways into a profit-making organisation also criticsied those resorting to performming yagnas before the departure of the team. ''These things are foolish,'' he said.

Asked about his own role as the head of the Bihar state cricket Association, he quipped, ''My position has not been fully recognised.''

UNI