whoa !
..and another interview of Chappell...to me it looks different from the one that Prem had commented on yesterday...or the one which I had also linked to in my posts. Atleast he has thrown light one a few new issues here. I have a feeling I may be reading too much into the lines here....so I'll leave it for you all to read and judge.
But one thing I can still say, as a strictly personal opinion, I have a feeling Greg is talking to the media too much. And not now, but right from the beginning of his stint. Perhaps that's my personal preference, perhaps its the effect of the reclusive John Wright on me....but I would have liked him to work 'a bit' more behind the scenes. Although maybe not as much as Wright who gave these many interviews in probably his entire stint!
For I feel that especially in the Indian media, the more he speaks, the more are chances of over-analysis, needless controversies pulling back on actual work (and people like me trying to read too much into it :-)
Here's an express analysis of this issue in light of the email contents, and what he revealed in his interviews.
Here another analysis from Guardian. Gives a good idea of the outsider's view of the affair.
One line, about SG, that I found amusing was Ganguly scored his first Test hundred in two years in Bulawayo and a media truce was cobbled together, with Chappell pictured playing pool with his captain - Ganguly, a cerebral, upper-class type, does not much care for pool, unless perhaps he can get a servant to play it for him.
Despite being cautious not to read too much into a presumably harmless witticism, it still hints at the underlying 'sentiment' prevailing in the British (and maybe Aussie) media and public about Ganguly. And I've sometimes got this impression from generally innocuous comments about SG in Eng blogs etc. Ahh...I wish SG and the team could get back to its 2001-2004 level...and give the Eng tourists a good dose of the 'Waugh medicine'...if only just for the fun of reading the shock and horror reports in their media...
But one thing I can still say, as a strictly personal opinion, I have a feeling Greg is talking to the media too much. And not now, but right from the beginning of his stint. Perhaps that's my personal preference, perhaps its the effect of the reclusive John Wright on me....but I would have liked him to work 'a bit' more behind the scenes. Although maybe not as much as Wright who gave these many interviews in probably his entire stint!
For I feel that especially in the Indian media, the more he speaks, the more are chances of over-analysis, needless controversies pulling back on actual work (and people like me trying to read too much into it :-)
Here's an express analysis of this issue in light of the email contents, and what he revealed in his interviews.
Here another analysis from Guardian. Gives a good idea of the outsider's view of the affair.
One line, about SG, that I found amusing was Ganguly scored his first Test hundred in two years in Bulawayo and a media truce was cobbled together, with Chappell pictured playing pool with his captain - Ganguly, a cerebral, upper-class type, does not much care for pool, unless perhaps he can get a servant to play it for him.
Despite being cautious not to read too much into a presumably harmless witticism, it still hints at the underlying 'sentiment' prevailing in the British (and maybe Aussie) media and public about Ganguly. And I've sometimes got this impression from generally innocuous comments about SG in Eng blogs etc. Ahh...I wish SG and the team could get back to its 2001-2004 level...and give the Eng tourists a good dose of the 'Waugh medicine'...if only just for the fun of reading the shock and horror reports in their media...
posted by worma at
7:42 AM
27 Comments:
prasad..hey sorry for not replying to your other comments in mainly cricket...will do that soon. As to GC..well early days...but yes there is an impression that he is probably giving too much emphasis to basic development, not suited to mature cricketers....but then..we dont know who well it materialises when put in practise...he may be having good results in general. And I wont read too much into immediate results of any players (pathan, or kaif)...saying that this is because of coach (pathan had similar devastating spells in b'desh, Kaif was in equally good touch during ICC trophy 2002 etc)...neither into Pathan saying GC has helped. Ofcourse he is the coach...he's not spending his time fighting with Ganguly...and he's a smart crickter...sure he would have helped many of them.
raj, thanks for the advice mate. I do try to keep my opinions well regulated. And generally put the rider when its strictly my opinion. But hey, thats the purpose of my contributions to this blog....highlight issues which struck me....have a healthy exchange etc.
By
worma, at 09:28
Ok i am a newbie here, but some pretty intersting opinions on this blog,,,,I feel GC is trying to keep his end of the bargain or atleast the way its being potrayed in the media is that he is, his commitment to excellence that he stressed on and SG is the perfect foil for GC to experiment on, with this new philosophy,,,,maybe a yr of ranji,improved physical fitness and miniscule changes in technique will do SG no harm, and i am sure SG realises that fact,but i feel its more of an EGO problem both men having huge inflated egos,,,,SG started it,GC wants to end it.
On a side note, playing domestic cricket and forcing his way back into the team before wc07 wud increase SG's popularity immensely, something which has been rapidly declining,,,,
any thoughts guys??
By
sherine, at 09:45
I have been pretty much silent on all those BCCI/GC/SG posts until now. I read your 'personal opinion' that GC seems to be talking too much and I wanted to jump in and agree with that.
We are certainly making SG a big scapegoat in this whole situation and most likely it could be a political chess game between JD and Pawar. But GC seems to care too much about the media and he seems to be on a certain agenda.
How else can you explain 1) His long email right after a test series win, criticising the captain, and more importantly, 2) leaking of the same to the media.
Also, how else can you explain his constant biting of the bait offered by the media? The media is of course looking for more spice and this guy keeps offering it.
Don't tell me GC has no idea about how passionate the Indian media (and possibly the rest of the cricketing world too) is about Indian cricket team. Don't tell me he does not know that whatever statement(s) he makes are going to be completely chopped up and used as sound bytes in bits and pieces in various media circles. Don't tell me he does not realize that there are some media persons who will not give up the trail that will 'prove' something 'that they already knew' - the SG is no-good and is using his power and connections with JD to stay in the team.
He knows all that. He has to.
Then why is he talking so much? There has to be a puppet master pulling the strings behind the stage. Who is this puppet master?
The one thing (and perhaps the ONLY thing) that bothers me in reading so much so far, is that SG seems to be creating factions in the team. I just cannot see that happening with guys like RD and Kaif and all that. I can see how Kumble may feel snubbed and he may look for succumbing to a 'camp' and on the other hand Harbajan, Nehra and Zaheer falling likewise to the 'other camp'. But the report that I read, said Dravid is actually leading the opposite camp!
Come on. If Dravid is what is made out of him (I don't know him personally or even with 2 degrees of separation), this good guy who works for the team and nothing but the team, I cannot see how he could form a camp and start creating factions in the team. I truly believe that it is a story created by someone just for the media to add fuel to a somewhat mild fire.
We have to ignore this b.s. and come to the team's support. SG has truly done nothing wrong. The media has come out against him and he is most likely being made a sacrificial pawn in the chess game between Dalmiya and the world. It would be sad if he is let go.
By
RPM, at 09:51
Hypothetical Scenarios:
Dalmiya XI(200/9) beat Pawar XI(199-all out)(close game)Man of the Match: Saurav Ganguly
or
Pawar XI(200/9) beat Dalmiya XI(100-all out)(no contest)
Man of the Match: Greg Chappell
Either ways: Out in the knockout stages: INDIAN CRICKET
By
sherine, at 10:00
"SG has built this team up - brick by brick, blood & sweat. He is the first man who has taught Indian cricket to look the English and the Aussies in the eye and not flinch."----
I am sure every Indian captain past and present, including SG imbibed the same philosophy in the players, SG was more vocal and had more media coverage,,,, and he had a professional in John Wright do all the work behind closed doors, the problem right now is Wright did not have confrontational nature, GC has one, is it good or bad???? and Ganguly did not build the team, he contributed towards building it as did several other senior players and the coach. On a side note ,knowing Ganguly not a lot of blood and sweat were involved.:-)
By
sherine, at 10:15
Prasad: Will SG's ego permit him to be a super-sub?
He keeps saying things about team play, but i wonder!
By
sherine, at 10:17
Prasad: Good to hear your views, I am not saying anything contrary to the affect of SG being a good bat, bad fielder etc,,,, a true patriot? I am not sure (nationalism in cricket is a thing of the past, again my personal opinion, players play for purely monetary reasons and of course the fame that comes with it, more so in India where cricketers have godly status, very few still play for the love of the game or have any patriotic fervor left). As for chances, has he not been given enough chances???? having a poor run is one thing but this long, is it acceptable?
By
sherine, at 10:40
Talking about sports, individual glory in teams sports,,,, its not just limited to cricket, here in Canada since I follow hockey the best hockey u get to see are in the major junior leagues, cause kids play purely for the love of the game and play as a team, NHL,AHL,,, all about individuals
By
sherine, at 10:44
Prasad: Granted SG comes from a very well to do family and certainly might own half of cal. for that matter, but money is something which none of us can ever have" Enough" of, one example that comes to mind straight off is that of jadeja, if i am not mistaken he was from a very rich and influential background as well?, ganguly stands to lose a lot if stripped of his captaincy and his place in the team, he has one of the most lucrative ad contracts in the market(of course no where as close to SRT), and any rational human being no matter how rich he/she is wud think twice about losing 5-10 crores a yr!, as far as bringing SRT into the picture, i have always admired SRT's skills on the playing field, but he is a professional and acts like one,,,, and patriotism has nothing to do with cricket, its a professional sport, players are paid to perform, please don’t equate patriotism with professionalism in cricket. Goin on the front and taking a bullet for a cause is patriotic not winning the world cup!
By
sherine, at 11:11
hey guys, thanks for the supporting words.
and rk, you cracked me up :-))...I'm suspiscious you really create some of those good luck emails floating around ;-)
By
worma, at 11:16
I hope Ranbir frequents this blog, i am sure he could use that letter:-)
By
sherine, at 11:27
The carnage has started in cal. Burning effigies in progress:-),,,wonder if they will consider burning effigies of dalmiya in the marathwada region if pawar loses:-)
By
sherine, at 11:55
Criclogic,
I was going to post the link of the same article. I agree with Sambit Bal.
Chappell has given just 2-3 interviews to the media. Earlier what we were reading was his vision and plans which he had put in front of his interviewing committee. If that part of the interview was made public, its not Chappell's fault at all.
Secondly the modern day game is moving very fast. If we don't catch up with these methods, tomorrow even Bangladesh will be ahead of us.
Thirdly, Ganguly thrashing Murali and co? The person who could not take one single run in 6 consecutive overs of a Zimbabwe left arm spinner, Debengwa, is supposed to thrash Murali?
You all must be kidding yourselves!!
By
Chandan, at 12:03
To each his own, people have their opinions and i respect that, but sometimes you come across some posts which you have to read atleast 2wice, came across this one right now:-)
"From an Indian Cricket Lover:
Before jumping on to sack Dada please analyse these points, then think for a while and then only jump to a conclusion.
Something important about Mr. Greg Chappel: Does anybody know that when Greg was the captain of Australia, in a match against New Zealand he asked his brother Trevor to bowl underarm at the last bowl to win the match in a unfair way. Also after his joining Greg went on to comment about the great Sachin Tendulkar that he is no more the force. Who the hell is he to comment about Sachin? Does he even have half the records of Sachin? Even Saurav Dada has better records as compared to Greg. Greg is a TRAITOR. Saurav has asked the BCCI to select Greg and now Greg has backstabbed him. So how can such a man be trusted ever? These white men have always tried to divide us and rule. They should be stopped immedialtely and Greg should be sacked with immediate effect. Also please check that Greg has never before trained any country's national side before coming to India. According to a news channel even the great Steve Waugh had advised us to select Tom Moody. Mohinder Amarnath a part of the World Cup winning team of 1983 would be a better coach anyday than Greg. "
P:S: Traitor in caps:-)
By
sherine, at 12:08
...just to chip in on this debate...since I prefer to just watch the SG debates these days :-)...so briefly....the issue in Indian cricket is not due to what SG said in that interview (or press conference or wherever)....this situation would have come independent of this answer there.
Or do you think GC would not have had a problem with his attitude and fitness and his scheming and plotting within team members if he had not said 'yes' to that answer.
By
worma, at 12:18
@criclogic
it doesnt take a chappell to see all that is wrong with Ganguly
we cud all see his shortcomings - both as batsman and captain
GC has decided to take him on and that is good.
im sure JW tried several times to make him see the light - but SG clearly bossed over him
With GC that is not going to be so easy
By
Gaurav, at 12:26
Hi All,
If this is a CALCUTTA faction Vs. BOMBAY faction, it seems that SRT the great would be the next to lead. That is, if the great SG is chucked out by the new BCCI. That is if Pawar faction wins.
That is when I stop typing the that is part. That is... oh anyway:)
Thanks for the tabloidish links. Cant remember I was so excited with cricket after Ashes and then all this happens.
By
ramakrishna u, at 12:36
wc07: england has a very good chance, and if age is a factor, then i feel majority of the team will be borderline 29-30 with a few extremes either ways (the joneses, bell pietersen on the younger side and tresco, vaughan,and the wheely bin(giles)on the older side)but this is not bad since they have flintoff, harmison in the middle! of course, all this is hypothetical and dunno if their current form will prevail but it sure does look like a good mix of youth and experience!wonder what the make up of the Indian side wud be like!
By
sherine, at 12:44
criclogic....I find it really difficult to believe that GC would have been ok with SG had he not brought this issue out in public. You mean all that strong words, those 6 points...those extreme judgment etc came because of SG's remark in media? I mean surely he wouldn't have been any fitter, any less mentally/physically unfit, he would still have been creating a rift in the team etc etc ?
IMO this would still have happened...if not this way then through the review committee meeting (which was anyway planned) which is happening on 27th, as fixed already. In fact, atleast to me, its not clear why GC had to send an email at all, when he was going to be there in this meeting? Unless there is something that we dont know...for example...some background decisions, actions etc were planned which GC thought should be dont in light of what he had to say.
By
worma, at 12:53
@prasad
what happened at nagpur was much more than what you think
By
Gaurav, at 12:55
@worma
There is nothing wrong in sending an email. By that he must have sought to prepare the grounds for what he was going to say at the RCM
By
Gaurav, at 12:57
gk, yes there is nothing wrong in sending an email. I was just wondering what extra that would achieve if he had to face the same committee meeting anyways. And anyway, I dont expect any 'decisions' to be taken then and there in that meeting, for which he had to send a preperatory email.
By
worma, at 13:01
@jai
Dravid is a true gentleman. When Ganguly ran to him he had to do his best given the situation. Which was back Ganguly till the end of the tour. RD was SGs best friend. He no longer is. We know what happened to their friendship after Nagpur. It seems they did not speak a word to each other for months, RD called SG a coward to his face etc.
How can u not blame SG for creating divides in the team ? Aren't the divides patently obvious ? They were much before GC was selected. They were there during JWs last year. This might sound repetitive but a lot of the problems in Indian cricket can be traced back to Nagpur. WHen the history of Indian cricket is written 50 years down the line Nagpur 2004 will be the most significant chapter after the match-fixing saga.
By
Gaurav, at 13:04
criclogic...yeah dude...that email was anyway not the main focus of my comment anyways...the main issue was GC's action...and the role that SG's going to public played in it all.
By
worma, at 13:08
@jai
well if they indeed are friends SG should *gracefully* (something he has never shown recently not even in his off-drives) hand over the captaincy to RD - and give him full co-operation - not like Azhar and Sachin. That is the best way he can redeem himself and it will be the best thing to happen for indian cricket.
By
Gaurav, at 13:24
"The captain has a big role. It is important to keep the boys' confidence high and to keep one's faith in them. I try to give my support to the youngsters because nobody comes in as a world beater. Okay, some rare cricketers score a century on debut, but that doesn't mean the rest are not good enough. We have to give them more opportunities, which was not there when I started out. Captaincy these days is more off the field than on the field."
Sourav Ganguly quotes
Kind of a contradiction dont you think giving support, esp. the test matches in zimb and kaif,,,, i am merely speculating!
By
sherine, at 14:03
Also rare cricketers scoring a century on debut! wasn't gangs one of the rare ones:-)
By
sherine, at 14:04
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