Parochial blades of crickiting pundits (so called) wave for his blood.....
Yet as focussed as he has always been he takes them all in his stride. Here for all those who have forgotten in the wave of cricket fanatism.......... its time to remind them that he is the only captain in the history of indian test cricket to have brought in so many abroad victories, only one to have taken us to so many finals, the one and only one who rose above the regionalism of cricketing circus to select the best, and yes!!! pioneering enough to not only think of the team of present but also of preparing one for the future. If having achieved all this is wrong then I agree- Hang Him, Cut him, Throw him in burning hell.
But then never praise no one for any leadership quality or instinct. Its easy to search for a scapegoat, and vouch for his blood. But if only one man can be blamed and sacrificed for the change in fortunes, then why only Ganguly, why not so many of the bigger and better stars............ Just ’cause he gains lot of negative publicity for the attitude and courage that he has, to create a Positive ambience in the DRESSING ROOM.
We have had many soft spoken and gentle cricketers at helm, they were all great players but rarely had the charisma that could bind the diversity and raw energy of the team in such a way so as to help the best happen to the game of cricket in india. They all were popular poster boys, great ambassadors for the game, and cricketing fraternity as a whole, but rarely had the ability to unite the team to do this well. Everyone of the cricketing pundit is crucifying him for his inconsistent showing at the batting crease, in recent past, and this makes all the more noise given that the team has not had satisfying last few outings. But then so has been the performance very recently for Sachin, and not long ago for Rahul but they were not blamed. Can a single man make the team win, its always a collective effort that takes the team anywhere.
Beyond doubt it takes a great leader to unify a team and instill in them the ability and believe to win in all situations, and I believe that Sourav has done that well enough. Its beyond question that he is a great captain and even a greater reflection of teams new found belief and attitude towards performance. If its the complaint that he has an attitude.. well my friend u are seriously mistaken, in todays world of professional cricket... ATTITUDE is a bliss and requires a great deal of courage to flaunt it. Sourav having done this has given a clear signal to the world that the team has come of an age. They are no more pushovers and shy guys of the international cricket but they are now the big forces to reckon with in this new cricketng arena.
If Sourav has demonstrated great ability and fearlessness in sending out this message to the world, he has also had the tact to not let this fiery attitude to get on the heads of the youngsters and the old machos. He has given great opportuinity to all of them to rear their abilities, hone their skills feel the comfort of persistence and joy of being the part of winning eleven. Result is there for all to look at with great awe and admiration... a better and more responsible Sachin, tougher and tighter ’The Wall’ Dravid, young turks like Yuvraj and Kaif, Feircely competitive ball blazers in Pathan and Balaji, and obviously a team NOT DEPENDENT on the big guns only.
If having achieved so much is not all for the victory of a person, a captain, a leader and a team man.... then I am sorry but nothing can ever be.
Message is clear- Stay Ganguly....... It’s miles to go before you sleep.