IPL is close to getting over and
this is a good time to start thinking about the one team that really matters:
The Indian Cricket Team.
Team needs changes and it must
start at the top. No one should have any doubts about Dhoni's credentials as a
captain; he is one of the greatest we have ever seen. Not a great tactician by
any means, probably his greatest strength was not allowing success or failure
get to his head in these times of intense media scrutiny. But no one can be or
should be a captain forever. Starting from Ganguly's reign in the aftermath of
matchfixing controversy, we have been lucky to have great captains who were
just the right guys to lead the team during their respective eras. There are
strong indications that Dhoni is no more the best guy to lead us. He carries a
jaded look on tours these days. His body has been bruised, his mind routinely
overclocked. One of the biggest reasons for our recent overseas loses was the
lack of leadership. Back home Dhoni is way more relaxed and back in his elements.
He would do well to step down at this time and focus on his role as a wicket
keeper batsman. For the next World Cup, we need our best finisher ever to be in
top shape. Dhoni should also work harder on reinventing himself as a test
batsman, something he might be able to do once relieved of the burden of
captaincy.
The choice for our next captain was
always obvious; IPL has now made it a no-brainer. Gautam Gambhir has been a
revelation. He relishes captaincy and is a certainty for India in all 3 formats
of the game. He has the right mix of patience and aggression, a big match
temperament, always backs and supports his players. Virat Kohli should continue
to be his deputy.
A few other things on my wishlist
for the next one year:
Che Pujara and Rahane should cement
a place in the test squad.
Umesh Yadav to lead the pace attack
in all 3 forms, Zaheer Khan's fitness can't be relied upon.
A closure on Rohit Sharma's case (whether
he really has the temperament to play for India). He is that guy whom everyone
wants to love but he keeps giving reasons to hate him.
Sachin Tendulkar deserves to get
picked in the team as long as he continues to be in form. One thing that we
can't allow him to do is to skip every other tour. Cricketers do need rest,
and its fine to opt out of the occasional tours. But playing around
30 - 40 percent of the games hurts stability and balance of the team.
And before we go, a prediction for
tonight's game, KKR will win this. They have been the best team of the
competition despite finishing second in the table. I know Srini uncle might be
trying everything in his power but if needed, trust 'The Don SRK' to pull off
another incredible heist and do a double whammy on Srini uncle by buying some
Chennai players and turning them against their own boss.
- rajesh@cricketbakchod.com
- rajesh@cricketbakchod.com
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