How ironical it is that at a time when the Supreme Court is looking hell-bent to implement the Lodha Panel recommendations in the Indian cricket system, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has bowed down in front of the demand of Team India’s captain.
Well, it will be a bit controversial to say that the board has accepted Kohli’s demand of making Ravi Shastri the head coach of the team, but the circumstances certainly prove it.
The way Anil Kumble stepped down from his post despite enjoying a very successful spell and the manner in which Shastri replaced him, certainly raises a question.
But amidst this drama, some of the biggest stalwarts of Indian cricket have been humiliated. Moreover, the way Shastri overlooked Cricket Advisory Committee’s recommendations of the support staff, the whole episode has left a bad impression on Indian cricket. Now the question is being raised that are Kohli and Shastri really so strong that they can do anything they want and the way the board has not even tried to check it is definitely disappointing.
So here we take a look at those incidents which have not only insulted some of the greatest Indian cricketers of all time but have also shown Indian cricket in bad light.
1. India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and arguably the greatest match-winner of the country, Anil Kumble was the first man to be involved in the whole fiasco. The former leg-spinner decided to walk away in a dignified manner after being told of Kohli’s reservations over his style of functioning. Kumble was appointed the coach last year ahead of Shastri but the former team director had the final laugh and Kohli has reportedly played a part in this.
2. The Cricket Advisory Committee comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly were also not spared. The three-member panel had selected Shastri ahead of the likes of Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus and Lalchand Rajput perhaps on the insistence of Kohli but in addition they had also recommended Zaheer Khan and Rahul as bowling and batting consultants. However, Shastri soon expressed his desire over having his own support staff which led the CAC to write to the Committee of Administrators to express their displeasure.
The committee of the former players made it clear that the appointments were done after consulting Shastri but once again the newly-appointed head coach had the last laugh as Bharat Arun was roped in as bowling coach. What is even more disappointing is that even the CoA questioned CAC’s power.
Well, it is really disappointing to see that three of India’s biggest cricketers have been humiliated for a service they were selflessly providing for the betterment of the game.
3. Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan are probably most insulted in this episode. The BCCI had clearly stated that the former players were roped in as consultants but took a u-turn later on. Vinod Rai, the CoA head, insisted that Dravid and Zaheer were merely recommendations, clearly contradicting BCCI’s statement.
With nothing clear surrounding the duo’s role, Shastri, during the presser in Mumbai on Tuesday (July 18), said that the he would welcome Dravid and Zaheer’s services but a contract is still not in place.
4. Last but not the least, legendary opener Virender Sehwag also fell prey to this drama. The former player was persuaded by none other than the BCCI officials to apply for the post but was pipped by Shastri. Now one should remember the last year’s coach selection process.
Shastri was the frontrunner to bag the job but the CAC had given the post to Kumble. Later, Shastri had expressed his displeasure over it and Ganguly had retaliated by saying that the former India all-rounder should have appeared in person for the interview instead of participating in the process through camera while vacationing in Bangkok. The situation was pretty much similar this year too albeit Shastri’s vacationing spot was different. The former team director was in London when he was interviewed while Sehwag had attended the process in Mumbai but the CAC perhaps due to the pressure snubbed the latter for the former.
Well, one just wishes that the appointment of Shastri takes Team India to unprecedented heights but insulting the legendary players for perhaps pleasing a captain who might demand something outrageous tomorrow is definitely not the answer to the whole incident.