India vs Australia 2017: Steven Smith And Virat Kohli Have Errors In Leadership, Feels John Buchanan
Mar 24, 2017 at 10:28 AM
Former Australia coach John Buchanan feels both Steven Smith and Virat Kohli have made mistakes as the captain of their respective teams in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series.
The four-match Test series has been marred with numerous controversies, most notably the DRS controversy, that forced the captains of both teams to exchange some heated words. The India skipper had stopped short of calling his Australia counterpart a cheat when he accused the visiting team of breaking the rules for making DRS decisions numerous times during the Bengaluru Test. Smith retaliated by rebuking Kohli’s claims and admitted he had made the mistake just once.
Afterwards, the BCCI filed a complaint against the Australian players for breaking the rules but withdrew the complaint after striking a truce with Cricket Australia (CA). Smith and Kohli also said they had moved on from the matter but their on field encounters and off field comments is a clear indication they still haven’t moved on.
“Every leader has his or her specific styles. What is more important for team leaders is that they are men of integrity, lead by example in every action and behaviour,” Buchanan told The Times of India.
“I think both gentlemen know that they have made errors in leadership, if we are analyzing their respective performances in this regard and using 100% as the only acceptable grade.”
Buchanan, who had coached Australia to a Test series win in India in 2004, further said Smith is the best man to lead the Kangaroos.
“I think there is little doubt that he is the best captaincy choice for Australia. With guidance of coach Darren Lehmann, high-performance manager Pat Howard and significant voices around him at various times, his leadership skills are improving,” Buchanan added.
DRS has been one of the most talked about matters in the ongoing series and when Buchanan was asked about the technology, he said:
“I am not a supporter of DRS as a means to enhance the adjudication of certain decisions during the course of a game. I think because of its inaccuracies and inadequacies, it can incite unnecessary tensions on-field between captains, teams and between players and umpires.
“If we are to retain the integrity of the game, then DRS and other decision making aids need significant review. If nothing else, the game should be managed by the umpires only. There should be no questioning of the umpires’ decisions by emotionally charged players,” he concluded.