Lets take a look at what has transpired in the past 4 weeks to get a sense for how screwed up things really are from a professionalism standpoint
a) The world cup team gets selected and shortly thereafter the chief selector Vengsarkar goes and tells the media that he didn't want Sehwag on the team but Dravid insisted. To be honest..he should have been fired on the spot there and then.
b) during the world cup..first Gavaskar tries to trash talk the Australians and goes way overboard by citing a horrible homicide, then Chappell [i guess he has been drinking too much of the Indian kool aid] sends SMS messages to journalists BEFORE a key game indicating that he didn't get the team he wanted and Yuvraj acts like a star even though he is only a rising star!
c) then we go blow it..and what does BCCI do? they pull together the same tired ole bunch of ex captains [gavaskar, shastri, kapil dev, srikanth]..on that note why don't we try someone new just for giggles since the above bunch hasn't done squat with all their advice in recent times.. and decide to wait for 2 weeks to pull together a meeting. In the meantime, Chappell leaks his assessment, Tendulkar voices his angst and displeasure at the coach, the *seniors* leak their displeasure and srikkanth ..one of the above ..writes in his syndicated column his true views on the topic.. wow..i'd like to be a fly in the wall of that discussion.
Truth be told..the only guy who seems to have any credibility and professionalism left is Rahul Dravid. I have been underwhelmed a bit by his captaincy of late but then again not clear how much of this has been this brain dead execution element and if only for his commitment/professionalism [not to mention the fact that there is noone else!] i would keep him there as captain for atleast one or two more series while they groom the youngsters.
On that latter topic..sure Sourav did well re: the averages, and it may seem unfair but i think its time to move on.. Sourav/Harbhajan/Sehwag [tho he did look v good in last two games] need to have a strong message delivered to them. To be fair..Tendulkar probably needs a fire lit underneath him..and its time to herald in some of the new blood. Imagine Yuvraj, Karthik, Raina and Uthappa in the field..now theres a fun fielding side to watch..at this stage..i'd rather have them batting than the others listed above..not to mention Powar both w the ball (and hopefully stepping up w the bat) in place of Harbhajan.
The talents there..alas the big prize is gone..but if done right..could be a very exciting time for Indian cricket.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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