Speak up, Mr. Articulate
Avinash Subramaniam
Make no mistake, Sourav is a favourite. Perhaps, even more of a favourite than Sachin. Perhaps it's because he's more comfortable articulating his thoughts. And, perhaps, we convent educated, snooty, writer types do have a weakness for those with a certain felicity with words. (Definitely as coach!) So even though Sachin may be the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket, Sourav is the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket. And if that makes no sense, well, that's Indian cricket.
Most people I know seem to agree that in Sourav, India may have found the best mind to lead the side since Tiger. (No, I'm hardly old enough to speak with much authority on Tiger, but most people also agree that Tiger was the best captain India ever had.) Of course, since in India, everything pertaining to cricket is vigorously debatable, we must get into one. Not on Tiger's leadership skills, but Sourav's. And since he's clearly a captian who likes to have his say, maybe, just maybe, he will be forthcoming with a few answers. Not that he's obliged to. After all, in Indian cricket, nobody is answerable to nobody. Even though we may all be, as Harsha so nicely put it, stakeholders in the future of the game. (Some stakeholders! With no power to do a thing about the fate of it.)
Still, can't help wondering what's with Sourav's baffling use of his bowling resources in the three Tests he has been at the helm? For one, he seems to have more confidence in Joshi's abilities as a bowler than Joshi himself. (Joshi's words, not mine.) Yes, we all know Joshi is a game 'trier'. But we also know he's no match-winner. (Give or take the performance against Bangladesh.) And yes, Joshi wasn't treated well by Sourav's predecessors. But from the looks of it, he might be being treated a bit too well by Sourav. And, unintentionally, we may see a younger talent with immense potential and acumen falling by the wayside. (No, I am not making any allusions to favouritism, only misplaced faith in a comrade's abilities by the leader.)
Poor Murali Karthik couldn't be happy with the way his comeback to this Indian side has shaped so far. His captain has hardly shown any degree of confidence in his skills. He has been used in the most uninspiring, unimaginative and, sometimes, diabolical manner. Am I over-reacting? I don't think so. (Not if you've been following the fortunes of tail-enders from clearly inferior batting sides' handling of the four more regularly used bowlers.) Consider this. Both Tests that Karthik has played since his comeback, he has bowled only a few overs more than Tendulkar. I rest my case. (Just as soon as I present yet another nugget of an observation. Tendulakar has sometimes bowled longer spells than Karthik. Sachin may be Superman. But him bowling more than Karthik can't be good for the future. (Karthik's and Indian cricket's.)
As if the handling of the young leg spinner wasn't mystifying enough, Srinath's continued reluctance to display high energy levels and enthusiasm can't be pleasing the strong-minded captain. (Quite frankly, it simply beats me.) Furthermore, his continued absence from the one-day side makes for very strange reading. He's not injured, we're just into the season, the Tests haven't exactly been exacting and yet…our number 1 bowler doesn't feel like playing!
The first time it happened, we said he's had a near-career destroying injury so it's great that he's pacing himself. The next time he said it, we said if Donald can do it, why can't Srinath? And then, when he said it again, I thought it because he didn't want to have much to do with a 'tainted' team. Fair enough. But now, the only thing I can think of is…NOW WHAT? Of course, none of our business. We're only stakeholders. We must never know.
Speaking of other things we'll never know. How about where do these reports emanate from? Of the team management lacking confidence in the abilities of the 'chosen' off-spinner. Of Harbhajan being the 'preferred choice'. Of the current incumbent being a 'selectorial slap' in the face of a 'too-voluble-for-his-own-good' captain. Of Sourav not caring 'who' the coach of the Indian team should be. These are extraordinarily damaging pieces of observation and information. (Or dis-information.) And given the opportunity, am sure Mr. Articulate will most certainly venture a point of view on every one of them. The question is…will he? After all, we are…umm, stakeholders.
Or maybe that was Harsha doing what he does best, suggesting the way forward with words and ideas the powers that be have little time for. More suggestion, words and ideas are welcomed at avinash@eurorscgindia.com
Avinash Subramaniam
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