Yesterday we all waited anxiously the outcome of the meeting of Indian cricket officials on the crisis over dispute between coach and captain. Media had a great masaala! Speculations were at large like Ganguly will have to go this time! Chappel doesn’t know how powerful Ganguly is, he has committed the mistake a coach should not have done in Indian cricket---. This meeting is nothing but an eye wash etc. etc. In the mean time Panicker had declared on the rediff.com “Do not expect any decision in this meeting because this meeting is only a cover-up exercise”. Panicker was absolutely right—at least now we can say.
As a player, Ganguly is a respected name. He came at the fall of Vinod Kambli and very soon became a reliable player. His records both in one day cricket and in test cricket are impressive. He was nicknamed Royal Bengal Tiger and it was justified too.
As a captain he has so many achievements which make him among the most successful captains of Indian cricket. Defeating Pakistan in Pakistan, defeating Australia in Australia and recently a series win over Zimbabwe. He promoted young talents and so on.
However as a player, his contribution to the team has been just pathetic in the recent years. He is the worst fielder of Indian team! His batting for quite long has been among the worst. How anybody can forget his situation against short pitched balls! People would jokingly say “ Ganguly can score a century but only against teams like Bangladesh, Kenya and Zimbabwe”.
A captain is expected to lead from the front. We have seen captains like Steve Waugh, Injmam, Vaugn etc helping their teams in dire situations. However, at least I don’t remember to have seen Ganguly ever playing a Captain’s knock! A captain who himself is struggling to get his form for quite some time, whose fielding is among the worst , whose fitness is among the worst is leading a team. What motivation such an ailing captain is supposed to provide to fellow team players.
Well in such a situation, only some strong backing from Board officials, some deft manipulations and much more unknown could have helped Ganguly retain his position. Well, Ganguly is very smart in all other things than performing as a player.
Many of us think Ganguly and some other non performing seniors should be replaced with fresh cricketing talents. That performance alone should be the criteria of a place in Indian cricket team.Yes, it is our wish but it doesn’t happen. Most of the educated people from Bihar wish Laloo be sent behind bars but he is not! Wish remains a mere wish.Many of us wished Chappel will build a team for the future which could play well in the next world cup However Chappel himself has been given a potent dose how to behave with Dadaas of Indian cricket! Elections in Bihar seems a farce and so toothless seems Board’s review committee meetings outcome!
Internal condition of Indian cricket team is somewhat now known to us. Money, power, politics are on top of Indian cricket but we wish our team to perform! Hope this doesn’t remain a mere wish because there is spirit of cricket which above all these petty politics!
We Indians are crazy of cricket. It has turned cricket among the biggest bazar of Indian entertainment industry. Money involved is enormous. Players have turned like gods. Basically they have become big time showmen. Lot of money, fame , lavish lifestyle and much more. Where is space for rigorous hard work on the field. Where is the space for a sincere dive to stop a ball, it may lead to some injury!
I would say, let us play cricket more and watch it on TV less. It will keep us healthy and we will be least affected by the mesh which is all around!