Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Deputy

What would happen if Mahendra Singh Dhoni were to sit out for a match? I know, the current designated vice captain in Yuvraj. When Sehwag returns, it would be him. But after the break till September/Champions Trophy, India have a fairly long season ahead. So they would have to be prepared for eventualities and cannot allow their form to vary with their skipper's presence. It happened in NZ, in the second test match, and the Indians, going by match reports, were listless on the field. What got them out of jail was the ability of Dravid and Laxman to bat time and Gautam Gambhir's discovery of another dimension to his game. There may come a time when MSD has to sit out an entire series. I also know that it is still early days int MSD's stint as captain, but there is no harm in thinking of a long term deputy and an alternative, when the need arises.

The vice captain in Indian cricket is an interesting animal. It surfaces in overseas tours and multi-lateral tournaments. It is generally unseen in home series. For tours it has been either the most experienced player besides the captain, or the next best player and someone who is sure of his place always in the starting XI.

Dhoni is the captain for the foreseeable future but who should be the deputy for a long term? If the selectors were to look for a succession plan, the next generation of cricketers are to be considered. Run through the following names of cricketers who are the gen next to the Dhoni/Yuvraj crop - Irfan Pathan, Dinesh Karthik, RP Singh, Rohit Sharma, Raina enough already. None of them is a shoo-in for all three versions of the game and each of them has his own problem(s) to worry about. Gilchrist was gushing about Rohit's leadership in the IPL, but the Indian team is a very different beast. While Irfan P and DK strike as future possibilities, they too are not sure starters and hence in the present scheme of things just cannot be.

So much for succession planning. So the VC has to be an experienced guy, from the Dhoni/ Yuvraj crop, possibly senior even and perform the kind of role Dravid did and what Sangakkara used to do until recently - Contemporary of the captain, may not have a similar long tenure, but experienced leader and will slot in without trouble.

Sehwag and Yuvraj obviously fit in here and Sehwag is the first among equals. He is as street smart as anyone else and there is not much against him except an apparent laidbackness. Yuvraj did not seem too inspirational in both the IPLs. In fact in the first version Jayawardene and Sangakkara were running the ship in tense situations. When Dhoni was chosen over him, there was the impression that he was irked, but now he seems to have made peace with the reality. He must be allowed freely to do what he does best - that is singlehandedly win matches for India.

As for the rest, there is Zaheer, Harbhajan and Gautam Gambhir. Appointing Harbhajan in any kind of leadership role would be the biggest practical joke the selectors can play on the team, its supporters and Harbhajan himself. Gambhir is young enough to serve for another 7-8 years. He is a sure starter for all versions of the game, looked in control in his IPL stint (unlike Bhajji and Yuvraj) and has grown in stature by virtue of his performances and will hence command the respect of his peers and juniors.

For me though, Zaheer is the most impressive canditate. He took the leadership role in the field during power-plays in ODIs, mentored Ishant, set fields with great effect, importantly looked in control. Lastly, he has the respect and trust of the main man in charge. He would command respect by being a sure starter, a match-winner and a man who has fought his way back to the top by hard work and performance. In his comeback avatar, he has made himself counted with the bat more often than not showing the willingness to hand in there. In close test matches in the recent past, the resoluteness of the Indian tail has tilted things their way. Zaheer has contributed to this in a big way.

So all things being equal, Zaheer it has to be for me as VC, till the next generation stands up to be counted.

3 comments:

  1. Zak has at the most 3-4 years of cricket left in him.. On top of that, India would want to keep him at his fittest and bestest for the bigger series, such as World cups, v Australia, v Pakistan, etc.. with the amount of cricket India plays, Zak is bound to miss a match here and there.. he needs to be rested like he is from the Windies tour right now.. he's their main striker..

    Only that rules him out of the VC post...

    It has to be someone whom the BCCI want to groom as the next captain...

    Whoever that is..

    Gambhir seems logical..

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  2. its nothing but wishful thinking from a board to expect to plan so much ahead when at times they don't think beyond the immediate job at hand...and sometimes no even that... :)

    but i agree with Q...gg seems logical...

    not for i am impressed with his leadership skills...but there is no other choice that fits in the bill...and also that sehwag and yuvraj are not even average when it comes to captaincy...

    zaheer is strict no no...for exactly the reason you have given for yuvraj...

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  3. Q - Gambhir certainly seems logical and indeed has more time left than Zak and also agreed that Zak has to be wrapped in wool from now on. What prompted me call him the best choice was the rapport he shares with the main main and how he has grown in stature and taken responsibility. Certainly NOT a long terms choice & unfortunately none of the younger members have become influential.

    Strangely, to me, Uthappa seemed to become an influential player in '07, bold, in your face, making key contributions and playing well under pressure - but that was surely a false dawn, the IPL, giving interviews and the paddle shot/scoop/thingie were his undoing.

    SP - Of all the things one can accuse the BCCI of, 'visionary' is certainly not one. But they will be led to some extent by assertive and independant captains. There is a lack of choices. The time and effort Saurav/Dravid/Wright had invested in this crop (Zaheer, Nehra, Sehwag, Bhajji, Yuvraj, Kaif, Dinesh Mongia, Agarkar and Hemang Badani has yielded a few match-winners, more journey-men but no prospective leaders. Amongst the lot, Zaheer looks like a leader. Hence the thought. Your point about him being a matchwinner and allowed to do that is also well taken.

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