If and when it does happen, that is John Wright and Sourav Ganguly come together again, this time possibly for brand KKR, the combined constellation will signify a regenerative shift in the balance of performance within the universe of IPL.
It might also mean that Shah Rukh Khan, for whom a prominent newspaper Tarot reader had predicted a stormy 2009 overall at the beginning of this year, might finally be thinking cricket and how to win by playing the game of cricket rather than run serial games of theories and countertheories. The said Tarot reader had predicted (I cannot recall now if it was Hindustan Times or The Times of India or The Hindu's New Year celebrity pages) headstrong destructive traits, much misunderstanding, with loss of stature and plenty of stress, which might be reflected even in his looks, as Shah Rukh's portion for the year. The Reader advised extreme caution in all new ventures, in interactions with public at large and people who matter to him, and to avoid controversial positions.
Now I am not a believer in all this, but I just happened to recall after observing the coincidences. It does appear however, if and when the two pioneering giants of Indian cricket's modern transformation do get together, that Shah Rookh may be exiting through the unfavourable phase and is actually also beginning to heed correct and sensible advice besides thinking constructively again.
John Buchanan's theories are admirable and wholesome material for discussion in the cafe outside the stadium, with a cup of piping hot chai and biscuits, in the intervals between overs while watching the latest match on a TV in a high corner during the nukkad session. The boys, meanwhile, are playing actual cricket on the ground inside the stadium.
To develop leadership qualities within one's workforce is an appreciable intent and a challenge. To develop as many leaders of the same team is however akin to inviting chaos to your own wedding. You can only have so many dads of the family for its coherent functioning.
Indian Summers by John WrightThis is a book I always recommend and frequently gift, for it is such a delightful read. One of the better cricket books of recent times which somehow ends up examining the touchiest topics of Indian cricket without the slightest odour of stress and offence.
John Wright's Indian Summers
Publisher: Penguin (India)
Price: Rs 495 But you can get discounts at your regular book store. (Tip - Always pays to be a regular customer of one!)
AMAZON UK
I quote from the Penguin plug of the book -
Bucking all doomsday prophecies, an unusual partnership between a high-profile team and a low-profile coach survived five years. In this time, Indian cricket was rebuilt after the match-fixing scandal and enjoyed its best results in decades, changing forever the way the world looked at it.
Throughout the years that he coached India, Wright kept a detailed diary that formed the basis of his account. With honesty and humour, he provides a unique insight into the extraordinary world of Indian cricket—the vast scale and enormous riches, the passionate fans, the Byzantine politics—and outlines the tough road to the top in a cricket-mad country of a billion hopefuls.
...
Indian Summers is more than one man's story. It is an account of the dramas and disappointments of a coach and his team who worked and played in an environment where keeping your head is as vital as keeping your wicket.
7 comments:
After listening to a boring session of analysis on how to bowl by Buchanan Mark Waugh once famously said in a team meeting.
"John, 'hit the top of off with the occasional bouncer' used to work."
Buchanan makes simple things complicated and was lucky that he got to coach a great team.
The man has made a career out of it now for himself and his kids!
Talk can fool the savviest people...so never lose hope if you cannot sell your product the first time around!
Now you provoke a question in me as an offshoot to what you wrote - which is the most cerebral team in world cricket today?
Do such captains and teams exist these days?
Which are the teams that can consistently grasp complex situations and far-seeing solutions to their cricketing problems today?
Younis Khan does seem to have some ability as a captain though sometimes he tries to be too smart but his team is so unpredictable.
I do think Mark Taylor was the last good captain as he wasn't rigid though Jayawardene of Srilanka also seemed ok.
Vaughan and to an extent even Fleming seemed like they were rigid and listened too much to the backroom staff instead of being flexible.
The most predictable captain at present though must be Strauss. It takes something to beat Punter and Strauss in this series has done that too.
I thought Anil Kumble improved as a captain in the IPL as he became more flexible as the tournament progressed and his team in the IPL did respond well to it.
Sanga...he appears to be able to marshall his men tactfully and communicatively.
YoKha has serious stature among his teammates, and he does appear to have a marginally greater degree of independence to function as a captain. He got it on his own terms for he wasn't afraid to give it up otherwise. His men perhaps see him as a man who enjoys the confidence of his employers.
Absolutely delightful book. You feel for Wright when he recalls celebrating new years with his guitar, a candle and those orderly in his hotel room.
I take it this was written before SRK's latest adventures. There seems to be the usual mess of conflicting reports and clash of cultures.
I'm looking for that book now...
What do you think of Vettori as a captain?
Plenty of coincidences Jonathan, but I'd like to believe these are coincidences only.
The book is worth the while. John Wright has a manner of communication which works well with me. I have plenty of time for him.
Yes Som, that section is poignant...did people forget to invite him?
About captaincy, Jonathan, GB was discussing the impact of various modern skippers recently.
Vettori has good players with him. A variety of them. If he can devise and implement strategies to move NZ up the table with them successfully, he will be the best Kiwi captain in a long time. They will have to begin winning at home and away.
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