From the Draw-id way to Mahi way.

The Indian cricket team finally got their newest one day international captain in the form of MS Dhoni, who comes from a small place called Ranchi. It gives me immense pleasure to let you all know that I was born in that little place and lived 7 years of my childhood there. But this doesn’t excite me that some one from my city of birth has been given the mantle to lead Team India. Let’s wait and watch how he fares as a captain. Let me make myself absolutely clear that at present I am no fan of his as yet and am not quite impressed with his unique technique (is a complete bottom hand player) but what I like in him is his temperament. All this was required as our ex-captain indicated that he isn’t interested in leading the team any more because his batting is getting affected.

These kind of statement from the “best” batsman of Indian cricket absolutely annoys me. It’s true that leading India is not a trouble-free job, but given a responsibility and the honor to lead ones country, one should be a bit more tolerant and open-minded. I agree to the fact that he hasn’t been given the proper work-force with him, but that shouldn’t deter him from doing his duties to the best of his abilities. I have often heard that the best player is chosen as the captain from the group of guys, which I certainly don’t agree with…but for the past few years it has been that way and to be fair the he wasn’t the best man to lead Team India.

We too work for organizations and are assigned with various tasks by our managers…but are we ever allowed to say no to any work allotted to us citing an excuse that this might effect our performance and consequently our rating in the appraisal….I am sure we aren’t, then why this is allowed else where…?

Coming back to the newly appointed captain, I feel the selectors have put in faith on this guy, but for me they should have given a chance to the Yuvraj Singh, who I believe is quite aggressive and flamboyant as a person and is a match winner in the true sense. Of what I have seen of late in the T20 matches, Yuvi does give his inputs, which need not have the approval of the captain…which makes me conclude that he wanted the captaincy once RD resigned.

Another baffling issue which was in the air just after the ex-captain has resigned was that it was speculated every where that Sachin Tendulkar would be offered the captaincy. I am delighted that this did not happen as this would have meant that ar’s and the kar’s would have ruled for the next couple of years(they are already) and Ajit Agarkar (another kar) would have played international cricket for yet another 5 years. I just need to ask these knowledgeable people, what confidence Sachin gives them as a captain of the side, who could resurrect the fortunes of Indian cricket. Though in RD’s tenure he wasn’t that inspirational or aggressive, but his results were good and acceptable. But in Sachin’s case, he was neither inspirational nor his results as a captain was good. He is a proven failure as a captain.

Some of my observations watching the recent series against England and the T20 world cup; In RP Singh we have got a good swing bowler and should persist with him, In Robin Uthappa, we have got a good back-foot player and could be used well in the Australian conditions (he plays well both in front of the wicket as well as pulls and cuts well), Of whatever I have seen of Rohit Sharma, he looks a decent bat.

As for the three old stalwarts of Indian Cricket, they should announce their retirement after the Australian Series and pass on the mantle of Indian Cricket to the youngsters. Reaching the T20’s final is certainly a good beginning for MS Dhoni as a skipper…lets keep our fingers crossed and wish him all the best for his tenure as captain.

My only advice to him would be that only the best would survive at the helm...!

-GAG