Chappell resigns. Media Games in full flow.
Posted by Prof on April 4th, 2007
It is true in Indian cricket more than anywhere else: the more things change, the more they remain the same. The team’s nucleus remains pretty much the same, the fielding and fitness levels or mental strength haven’t seen any drastic upward trends, we continue to travel poorly and more action continues to happen off the field than on it. Chappell was and is wrong in making public the issues he had with individuals, groups or the team in its entirety. In answering questions during interviews - while it might go against his natural instincts- it is in everyone’s interests to “well-left” certain issues. And in imitating Chappell’s actions, the senior Indian players have shown lack of maturity too. Why should
But I come here neither to praise Chappell nor to bury him. I don’t know the answers to any of the questions I raised or to any malaise afflicting Indian cricket but this much I know for sure: we have too much media involvement in our cricket and it isn’t good for Indian cricket to have dirty linen washed in the open like this.
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April 4th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Regular reader of the site. Have taken the liberty of linking you guys to mine. If thats ok.
Cheers
April 4th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Your thoughts on Tendulkar and Indian cricket are exactly what I opined in a post yesterday. At this juncture, Indian cricket requires cool heads and simple solutions, not mud-slinging and trial by media. Tendulkar was out of line in questioning Chappell’s report, without having read it. It was unbecoming of him and his reputation, which has taken 17 years to build.
April 4th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
@ Sfx: Keep visiting and yeah, no problem
April 4th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
@ Enigma: It’s sad isn’t it, to see a player like Sachin be reduced to being embroiled in such common controversies.
April 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
the more interesting thing is..with these controversies flying around sachin and his ilk (the so called senior players) who performed terribly and some of whom have had a long streak of form slump have come out of it looking like the victims…smart way to gain media’s support…i still say drop sachin and a few other players - not for the world cup - but for non-performance over a period of time ….
media and politics…two sources of the rot indian cricket is facing now…
April 5th, 2007 at 1:33 am
isnt it funny how a coach gets practically no credit when a team wins (how many
ppl remember who was the coach of the 83 indian team?)but when the team loses, all blame is pinned on him
now that chappell’s gone, the senior players will crib that the only reason they lost was because chappell was the coach, the BCCI will probably agree….the powerful players lobby will make sure that the new coach is ’soft’
sachin and dada will play till WC 2011 and put up even more disastrous performances…
doubt if even god can save indian cricket
April 5th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Its extremely funny how we cant handle a touch of mortality from the guys we attribute “Godhood” (?) or greatness too. We want Sachin to retire not because he isnt good enough to be in the team anymore (he definitely is) but because he isnt living up to the mental image we have of him. Because he isnt doing his ordained job of fulfilling our wet dreams. And now when he speaks out - in what is a completely rare occassion - about someone questioning his commitment to the team - mind you his commitment is questioned not form or capability and I would imagine that his commitment was one thing beyond any question - the moment he shows that he is a mortal too - we are saddened and shocked by his behavior.
Maybe the fault lies not just in the team/players/board/media/coach but also us? Is that worth a consideration?
April 5th, 2007 at 8:19 am
@ Raju: Couldn’t agree more about playing the media well… And we can rest asured that there will be a minor storm in the tea-cup but nothing earth shattering will happen and media and politics will continue to wreak havoc with Indian cricket.
@ Guhan: The coach pretty much signs up for that… not necessarily to be the scapegoat but atleast facing media fire when the team under performs. Unfortunate, yes but true in many sports around the world. And doubts about Indian cricket… don’t worry, we’ll beat some teams somewhere and win a few home series and you’ll see public adulation again. Any long term measures? I don’t expect it from the spineless, corrupt and visionless officialdom running Indian cricket.
April 5th, 2007 at 8:28 am
@ Pushkar: We can handle mortality. While the WC performance was disappointing, this article doesn’t point fingers at people for any defeats over a period of time. But where I think mortality is unacceptable is when you decide to discuss private issues on public fora. Just because Chappell did it, doesn’t mean you should- definitely doesn’t make it right and I mention that too.
Now, Sachin and the attitude thing: I haven’t questioned his commitment (even in a previous article on this blog) but I think I am fair in questioning the necessity/timing of his media outburst. In such a volatile environment, I think it was uncalled for unless he was doing it in the belief that Chappell’s words would find significant supporters who were unhappy about his performances. And am I saddened when he exhibits mortal behaviour? - on certain issues, yes. I would expect a player of his experience to handle issues with greater maturity - atleast that is the public face that he has rightly (in my opinion) maintained over the years.
April 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I don’t see why Tendulkar can’t be questioned about his commitment. I think that falls under the purview of mortality as well. I agree with Prof, I believe he has lost the credibility he had built over the past so many years. It was sad to seem him act like a wimp, when he was almost complaining about only his name being attached to the TOI interview and the rest of the players being unnamed. What’s really surprising though is how the media managed to leave Dravid out of all their shenanigans.
April 7th, 2007 at 12:20 am
tendulkar was silent even during indian crickets mort turbulent times i.e. the match fixing saga.. i have always thought that when he was at his peak, he should have spoken his mind more often than he did… his words would have carried weight..
his outburst at a time when his powers r diminishing perplexes me.. surely the time has come for him to take a bow gracefully while he can