INDIAN TEAM-A BUNCH OF PAPER TIGERS

Dear All,

"One Indian is better than ten Japaneese; however ten Japanese are better than 100 Indians”. This is what many people in the corporate arena feel about Indians being good individually but failing as a team. The best case let for proving this will be Indian cricket team who were demolished by the alacrity of Lankan cricket team.Let us analyse each and every character of this case let.

Dhoni only fires in Indian pitches or while riding his motor bikes, not while representing his nation in cricket matches. The Indian captain was very low at risk taking ability in all these matches. The fear of loosing was much heavier than the burning desire to win. It is being said that "Leaders are dealers of hope”. But Dravid himself was hopeless during the matches and the body language was very defensive. He was waiting for the competitors to make a mistake. Why Shehwag, Yuvaraj were not given the ball in the last match? This is a million dollar question.

Once again ,going by the past successful records, he preferred Harbhajan who was not getting wickets in stead of Anil Kumble,who has the ability to turn around the matches in his team's favour.He also played a devil's role in case of Yuvraj's run out.

The so called world famous master blaster is a demi-god and had become an integral part of International cricket record book. However always fails to deliver in crucial matches though a great success against minnows like Bermuda. Still Guru Chappel’s "Perform or Perish”, is not applicable in his case. I believe many a Indians will agree with me that any other sportsman in his place would have immediately declared his retirement after such performances in the recent past. Such experienced players should have led from the front in cricket matches. Unfortunately he led from front in getting advertising assignments. I believe companies like ITC should immediately remove him as brand endorser of "sachin's fit-kit” biscuit which is a virtual mis-fit in this case.

Tendulkar may be a good batsman but not a great player like his Australian or West-Indian counterpart. A good player score well for himself. In the other hand, great players play well under pressure and prove their excellence. That is why, Brian Lara or Ricky Ponting are considered as better players by many a critics. They are "Match Winner’s although not having the distinction of "maximum number Of Man of the Match Award” winners like Sachin.These players play quality cricket against quality teams.

At this juncture, the Indian team is not eligible to play international cricket.Thus they should be banned of playing cricket till a result oriented next generation team is ready to roar and deliver.Let the selection committee groom the under19 players and give chance to budding talents.The non-performers should pay a price for their irresponsiblity.There should be a performance based incentive scheme for match winners which will encourage them to do well further.

All the members of Indian cricket team must do a self-appraisal. The older players need to retire and pave the way for young generation of players who are waiting for a berth in the national team.BCCI should concentrate in grass root level cricket tournaments. The internal politics should be avoided.

The print and electronic media are requested not to glorify mediocre achievements and building a facade around Indian fans. They should minimise the kind of attention given to them and turning them from single match performer to all time celebrities. May be it will have an impact on their TRP ratings but will make the cricketers focusing on playing techniques than cat-walk techniques.

The coach and captain must try to imbibe patriotism into player's blood and make them more responsible to live up to billions of fan's expectations. Importance of ethics needs to be explained to the players, so that they keep themselves at an arm’s length from match-fixing and bookers.

Or else the future of Indian cricket is bleak.

Warm regards,

Mr.Bay Leaf

***Please feel free to post your comments.