1. Change of guard at BCCI: This is one of the main reason why Team India faltered. In the selection interview to BCCI, Greg presented ways and means of improving cricket, one of his principle would be "Perform or Perish" and Good show of Cricket rather than statistics, wins and records. Greg also opined it’s stupidity to have ex-captains on the side as it would lead to ego-clashes and groupism.
The Old BCCI team along with Kiran More did great job by infusing young blood in line with Greg’s recommendation and was going in right direction with Dravid at the top. If the old team was still ruling the BCCI then there would be no Shewag, Sachin, Ganguly and any non-performers. Power from Dalmiya to Pawar was more political and all politicians had a say in the BCCI affairs, Pawar also entertained fallen Ganguly and gave him another chance over half a dozen young and budding cricketers. The present BCCI trusted experience to youngsters without knowledge of egoism & groupism that is present in big way especially between many senior players and with coach Greg.
2. Guru Greg and Senior Players: Guru Greg’s approach was pure Australian! How can that work in India? B’cos senior players are not just demi-gods but Gods in true sense. How will they accept criticism or feedback from Greg? In fact they would teach him everything except cricket!
Sachin Tendulkar: This man’s mission is not 15, 000 ODI runs, but’Kill-Dravid’ at any cost. Almost all the’outs’ under Dravid are questionable. Even common man is able to scent this clearly, the truth came out in the last India-Pak test series when Sachin walked out even though the ball brushed his T-shirt and kissed his Elbow, repeated TV replays showed that he was technically ‘not out’ and there was no appeal from either Wicket Keeper nor Shaoib, but Sachin decided to walk out though he knew he was NOT, this man thought he can get-away with high tech cameras. Sachin’s poor display continued under Dravid every time and he somehow managed some scores to keep his head counted only to torment Dravid repeatedly by performing poorly and letting down the team in big tournaments.
Ganguly: Another man with a mission’Kill Greg’ managed into the team despite poor domestic showings, this man toiled hard and finally made into team through MPs of West Bengal and by criticizing his’father figure’ Dalmiya to please Pawar and the anti-Dalmiya big wigs in BCCI. My understanding is that he has influenced Sehwag, Yuvi, Sachin and Dhoni to teach lessons to Greg n Dravid. With Vengsarkar hinting that Sachin would lead if Dravid fails, it’s clear that poor showing at WC07 was well planned and executed to super perfection. Even orthodox hitter Dhoni started playing ball with his’legs’, the best fielder’Yuvi’ forgot to dive with stretched bat to avoid run-out! And Sachin was blinded by shining white ball!
Dravid: If you have read the two points above, then one can understand clearly how Dravid’s fate was sealed by selfishness. Dravid has performed for the team under everyone like a true soldier, Dravid was at the peak under Ganguly and the best deputy of team India ever, Dravid is the only guy who stays at the crease and does maximum effort for team’s win. He’s the only player to have maintained super fitness level through out the career. There can be no great motivating player like Dravid.
*3. Over-Commercialization of the Game:
* In Australia, New Zealand, England, playing 50 games for the country is no great achievement for players, after retiring these cricketers takes odd jobs to make a living. In India it’s just matter of representing the country and be part of’playing 15’ you are super rich, govt. gives you free plots, great endorsement opportunities and truly big money from all sides. The sudden change will have big impact that they become over-secure about themselves. Dhoni was Zero a year back and now valued about 300 crores. Big money breeds egoism, the initial ego b/w Sachin and Dravid was b’cos of Pepsi offering more money to Dravid in early 90s, though Sachin was captain of team India. With’Money racing’ there is large scope for differences and egoism among players. So something needs to be done to curb commercialization of players in big way.
*4. Myths and Musings
* 1. Many Ex-cricketers term Dravid is not motivator; this has no meaning at all. Representing team India itself is the biggest motivation, does players expect Dravid to feed their mrng breakfast? All are pros and are representing big country with big money in their booty. They should give 200%, in fact Dravid is the greatest motivating cap. ever.
2.’Dravid has no control’, ppl expect Dravid to walk to the player who drops catch or misfields and talk to him! This is total unprofessional thinking of avg. Indian. Dravid is thorough professional. He knows professionals know their job well.
- ‘Sachin is back as captian’, this master has proved more than once that his leadership is not good. His cricketing is best example of ‘self-centeredness’ and ‘selfishness’
*What is the best plan?
*Sack Ganguly, Shewag, Kumble and Sachin, make Yuvi as ODI captain and Dravid as Test captain. Get all players who are in 17-22 age group into both forms of game and keep taking out non-performers and egoists on continual basis. Restrict endorsement only to ‘man of tournament’ and for players who perform consistently well based on points like "staying at top10 in ICC rankings for one year" etc
But then, groupism, egoism and it’s dynamics can never be predicted in TEAM INDIA, Dravid will be remembered as one of the finest captains of Team India and in everybody’s mind his images of sweating and playing for country will remain for ever!
Shekhar
B’lore