Chappell's comments on Sourav Ganguly is better understood if seen in context of the rest of that interview. All comments were spot on and one should appreciate the desire to speak the truth and only the truth and nothing but the truth even if it is hurtful for some individuals and media houses.
Once a very good batsman who was able to score without letting the opposition bowlers exploit his known technical limitations, Ganguly was an under performing player with a sorry outlook long before Chappell replaced Wright as coach. His batting averages had plummeted in the last several years including the 2003 world cup where he could not score much against top notch teams. Chappell pointed out a known but hidden fact that Ganguly was just hanging in there and had no energy to give to the team.
Indeed it could reasonably be argued that Ganguly's continuing presence in the Test side was more a result of BCCI power equations than any astonishing batting feats. Ganguly averaged lowest among experienced middle order batsmen of top teams around the world including Pakistan, South Africa, Australia and England.
The blame on Chappell is baseless given the fact that when the same selectors who routinely retained Ganguly under an earlier dispensation immediately got ready to dump him when the previous BCCI administration was about to lose power. Chappell's comments would certainly be seen in the correct framwork if the issue was not distorted by a partisan section of the media and regional political bigwigs.
Ganguly has several loud media backers who have tried to mudsling Chappell, irrespective of his outstanding performance as coach with the Indian team. It was Ganguly who started miscalculated or overestimated his power base and brought his spat with Chappell into public view. Ganguly used media for his career just like a politician would culitivate a loyal bunch of reporters.
Exactly how important captaincy was to Ganguly's career was amply proved in Zimbabwe when he took a private, dressing room conversation with Chappell and Rahul Dravid to the media.
What did Ganguly expect when he asked Chappell for a "frank opinion"? If he was looking for an assurance that all was well with his batting, captaincy and place in the team, he was either mistaken or self-delusional or both.
Chappell had both Ganguly's long term interests and team's interests in mind. He wanted Ganguly to have a long, productive career and wanted to sharpen up his batting skills. An honourable and unselfish motive from the coach - that is the way it should be - it is his job to help both the players and the team. Keeping both team and player's benefit in mind, Chappell pointed out that Ganguly's needs as a player and those of the team's have to start converging pretty soon. The only way that would happen is if the team needs Ganguly more for his batting skills than his coaching and motivational skills. With a professional coach and support staff, the team was in good hands. Ganguly was needed to contribute as batsman and player first and foremost.
Chappell is known for his no-nonsense approach - a welcome attitude from an influencial person in the society who has power to make an impact in people's lives. So there was no chance of a struggling, insecure Ganguly calling the shots to the real or imaginary detrimental interests of the team. The team needs a captain who is respected by players and fans - that is the only way to bring out the best in other players and fans. All top teams have a respected leader at the helms.
It is great for Indian cricket that Dravid and Chappell have revamped the team. In the interest of Indian cricket, the coach must be given a free hand and should have the ability express his opinions in private and in public.
By making the coach hide his expressions, we are depriving the cricket fans an access to coach's
mind. It is important for fans and players to know what the coach thinks.
It is in the long terms interests of cricket, sport in general and the larger society to let influencial people express as freely as they can.
Let the coach speak - it is we who benefit!
PS: An adopted piece by Teddy
AuthorTopic: Coach needs his hands freed (Read 521 times)
January 19, 2006, 03:59:21 PM