So Pakistan whipped the Poms 2-0 in the version of the game that really matters. A scoreline that should
rankle any Indian cricket supporter often results in an unusual interpretation of state of things. In keeping
with the form book, the Wise Men of Indian cricket, regretfully announced the dismissal of Mohammad
Azharuddin as Captain of India. Apparently, losing the Test series and the One-Dayers and a host of
other games to a variety of county sides got it up their nose. Pride was at stake and a determined effort to
elect the goat ensured Azhar, with a pat on the back, was out the revolving door--quite like one of his
flicks to square.
My computer spit out an interesting comparison, well nothing new really, merely an extension of
something I have been keeping an active eye on for some time now. Peruse the following:
India in England, May-Jul 1996 - Tour Averages
Pakistan's lads, the dozen that were tossed the ball to initiate the dirty, snared 186 Englishmen.
Nine out of those twelve had a better strike-rate than India's best. Azhar encouraged ten of ours to do the
same and they wheezed back with 107 scalps. The difference of 79 could be presumed to be 7 batting
sides we failed to put away. Pakistan's average strike-rate: 49.5 balls/wicket. India's average strike-rate:
99.12 balls/wicket. Any surprise, then that the counties had the Indians tottering?
I have mentioned, in an earlier article that batting isn't where India chokes, although there is a rule
of thumb here that when we bowl well, we suck at our turn to bat. BKV Prasad has been receiving Kapil
Dev's blessings a little too freely for my comfort. India's best pacer, and I use the term loosely, with a
strike rate of 60+, would find it difficult to break into a third string Pakistani or Aussie side, and all one
can hear is praise for his knack of being better than the others in the side. True, the poor chump had a
better time with the leather than some of his colleagues, but if BKV is all India has in reserve, turn off the
TV and stop following the team's future for it ain't got one.
So Gavaskar oozed himself into the Sidhu Affair Probe Committee. It must have been dashed
unpleasant for Azhar to hear that. I mean, you don't expect the bird who has been hounding you for the
last year to turn the keys over to another to steer a committee of that sort. While details of that probe are
sketchy--perhaps they will never see the light of day, a lot of pleased back slapping later, the word was
out.
"No, well, we are not at blaming Azhar for what happened to Sidhu, but dash it, the man has not been on
the job like we would have liked him to. I mean, c'mon, losing to the rummy counties, that brims with
pain. No, no. We have made a dashed difficult and painful decision, Gava..er..I'm sorry, Tendulkar will be
the new India Captain. And oh, ah, eh? Oh yes, Kamb..no, Kumble, yes that's the bloke, well let him be
the vicey. All right break it up. You've heard it all. Phew. Let's go have lunch. What? We've had it
alrea.... "
Well I wasn't there, but you get the general idea.
Azhar might not have clutched at the brow and staggered upon hearing of his discharge. He isn't
the kind. He might have hopped into the Benz and dashed off to the nets, eager to disprove claims of his
slipping concentration. I spoke to him shortly before the verdict, and he seemed in a positive frame of
mind--reluctant to talk about the leadership, but quick to point that he was to blame as much as everyone
for the England debacle. I then pointed out that he had done the best with what he had,
what he had being nothing. This being a conversation big on pointing, he pointed out he felt no
unfavorable animosity towards his mates. For someone touted to be not so hot on matter management,
diplomacy is, surprisingly, one of his greater skills. Speaking of skills, I asked him what he thought of his
lack of form. I think he clicked his tongue for that was about the extent of a verbal response.
Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the universe's numero uno bat, has long aspired to be skipper.
Although he has his wish, he may want to re-think things a bit. Presumed to possess an abundance of the
right stuff, I found his decision to accept the captaincy rather astonishing. I had him pictured out to be
this smart cricketer, someone who would weigh this against that, and slip the plate back to Azhar,
with a, "Maybe later, okay?"
Look at it this way: Being one who had a finger in every thing that was sticky overseas and under, Sachin
should have had a better understanding of the various factors that worked against India--and Azhar. He
should have assessed the circumstances and the reasons for the halo being palmed off to him. Had he
done so, one peculiar strain of thought would have unsettled him: Could what happened to Azhar, the
most exultant of all India captains, ever happen to him? Well, with basically the same group of under
achievers under his belt, he would be fortuitous to obtain a tad more prosperity. And where does that
leave young master Tendulkar? Had Azhar been coaxed into nourishing the foul blisters for the next three
years or until he hands in the notice, and efforts made on the side to beg, borrow or steal players of
caliber, Sachin's future, which is so blatantly coalesced with the national side's would have been on firmer
ground.
As things stand, look for Kumble, the deputy to be booted somewhere in the space of a season--
someone will discover his leg-breaks don't break and the Karnatakan is a charlatan--and everyone from
the Springboks to the Pakis to have their fill of Indian delicacies--all this, as India's best lie on their backs
with feet pointed heavenwards. How apt.
So Pakistan whipped the Poms 2-0 in the version of the game that really matters. A scoreline that should
rankle any Indian cricket supporter often results in an unusual interpretation of state of things. In keeping
with the form book, the Wise Men of Indian cricket, regretfully announced the dismissal of Mohammad
Azharuddin as Captain of India. Apparently, losing the Test series and the One-Dayers and a host of
other games to a variety of county sides got it up their nose. Pride was at stake and a determined effort to
elect the goat ensured Azhar, with a pat on the back, was out the revolving door--quite like one of his
flicks to square.
Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the universe's numero uno bat, has long aspired to be skipper.
Although he has his wish, he may want to re-think things a bit. Presumed to possess an abundance of the
right stuff, I found his decision to accept the captaincy rather astonishing. I had him pictured out to be
this smart cricketer, someone who would weigh this against that, and slip the plate back to Azhar,
with a, "Maybe later, okay?"
Look at it this way: Being one who had a finger in every thing that was sticky overseas and under, Sachin
should have had a better understanding of the various factors that worked against India--and Azhar. He
should have assessed the circumstances and the reasons for the halo being palmed off to him. Had he
done so, one peculiar strain of thought would have unsettled him: Could what happened to Azhar, the
most exultant of all India captains, ever happen to him? Well, with basically the same group of under
achievers under his belt, he would be fortuitous to obtain a tad more prosperity. And where does that
leave young master Tendulkar? Had Azhar been coaxed into nourishing the foul blisters for the next three
years or until he hands in the notice, and efforts made on the side to beg, borrow or steal players of
caliber, Sachin's future, which is so blatantly coalesced with the national side's would have been on firmer
ground.
