Its hard to withstand the collapse of the building you built on your sweats and Sourav is no different to that.
Indian cricket team is missing a leader now.
In the midst of poor performances and match fixing scandal back in 2000s, cricket in India was staring down the barrel with doubts casts around several players and each match. The situation threatened to ruin the love cricket enjoyed among Indian people but it survived. It survived in the darkness, strived forward to get back the support of everyone by performing well consistently and succeeded in not only making all fall back into love but also becoming best team in cricket world. The man, the leader behind these great turn around is Sourav Ganguly. Yes, others have played crucial role too but all under him only. As a leader, he destroyed most of bad taunts on Indian cricket team and created new image for India in world of cricket. He laid down a path for India to achieve the excellence that only two other teams ever had touched down, West Indies of 70’s & 80’s and Australia of late 90’s & early 2000’s.
When Sourav retired four years ago, India was the team to beat in test cricket. But as the days rolled over, our status came down immensely. We are still a team to reckon in limited overs but ones longer format ability is what used for judgement. India as a test team is going back to era of 90’s and before. With nearly everyone fuming at the cricket board, selectors, captain and players, the occasion direly needs someone to raise as leader and turn the ship into correct directions. Sadly, no one is willing and much to the disappointment, Dhoni failed to raise himself from captain to a leader level in Indian cricket.
So, I am not surprised that Sourav wants to get back to restore everything before it gets corrupted completely. Sourav is the father of this Indian team and he won’t stand back when it is going wrong. People might feel it is too soon but what we need to look at is whether the timing is right or not. With us becoming poor travelers again and in transition phase, we need a leader with courage like him to make quick and valuable decisions. We need someone ready to stick his neck out for the team good and Sourav without any doubt will do that. There is lot of time left before our serious of away tours starts. If we don’t make changes now, then we are pretty much doomed. Whatever changes, be it in person or attitude or system, we have to do it right now and not after three or four years when we are at bottom.
Success formula for India – Dhoni captaining team on the field and Sourav leading team off the field.
Should BCCI approach Sourav Ganguly? Yes, but not for coaching position, rather for director of Indian team. A position something similar to what Andy Flower is at for England cricket team. Management is something born with Sourav. More than this tactical ability, his success as captain is down to man management and decision making ability. He has the knack to get the best out of each one. It is no mere fact that Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag, Yuvraj, Kaif, Agarkar, Kumble and Harbhajan sizzled under him more than during any other period in their respective careers. This Indian team in need of attitude, belief and courage installation more than better technique. Even if some technique coaching needed, we have National Cricket Academy where players can go and correct their mistakes or even ask help from legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble who are always willing to guide.
I don’t think Sourav, much to his persona will create ego clashes within the team and captain since he wants everything done in his way, especially after the bitter clash with Greg Chappell. Moreover Sourav has always said that captain runs the team and coach is their to help him. Dhoni can do lot better with Sourav behind him. Dhoni can continue to do what he is doing now, i.e. marshaling troops on the field with given players. Sourav will take care of things outside the boundary rope, an area where Dhoni is reluctant to call the shots.
I wish Sourav gets into the team management as soon as possible. We should make hay while sun shines. With England and Australia series around the corner, it will be a great step to make.
Tags: Anil Kumble, BCCI, Coach of Indian team, Cricket, Director of team India, ICC, Indian Cricket Team, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sports, Team management
