CRICKET AND CONTROVERSIES

I thought of writing this even before the beginning of IPL-II, about a controversy – but never managed to do so. In the meantime, another controversy started in the name of “fake IPL player”. That sounds interesting but I should admit I haven’t gone through that blog yet.

Cricket and controversies are like politics and corruption, can’t be separated. The recent one, other than the previously mentioned item, is the ‘ MULTI CAPTAIN THEORY’ floated by John Buchanan. This move – as seen by many- was clearly aimed to diminish the strong hold of Sourav Ganguly from the KKR setup and to ease him out, at least for the next edition of IPL.

John Buchanan’s credentials touched a new high after he coached the mighty but arrogant Australians. Frankly, coaching Australians of his tenure- must have been the easiest job in the world, simply for the fact that there was none in their team who needed coaching. Steve and Mark Waugh, Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Martin, Gilchrist, Warne, MgGrath, Gillespie formed a formidable side, which functioned like a well oiled machine. “Bang-Bang…..huge score…..pace –spin…..opposition bowled out” was the order of the day.

Coming back to Mr Buchanan, on his part, he never played International Cricket and that not necessarily mean that he was very successful in domestic cricket. Somehow he got into coaching, and ended up with the all conquering Australians but his contribution to the Australian outfit and their phenomenal success was very little or less than that. On top of everything, many Australian players openly questioned his role or lack of it in their scheme of things.

Indian media played a big role in creating so much hype about the -so called- extraordinary coach. Such buildup is unnecessary for a coach and JB doesn’t deserve that. Shane Warne, another controversial cricketer and the best captain Australia never had, demonstrated time and again that winning is all about man management.

Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, who never minces words while criticizing Australians and the Englishmen, has pointed out, in one of his regular column, how Mr John has brought many others from Queensland into the KKR setup in various capacities and nicely milking the franchise owner. But that comment has not gone down well with the affected owner SRK. He has asked SMG to purchase his own franchise and then comment. Rubbish!

Mr JB once opined that T20 is only for youngsters. That theory has already gone for a –‘Yusuf Pathan’ six. So far, seniors have performed in IPL II. Sachin, Dravid, Kumble, Ganguly, Jayasuriya, Gilchrist, Warne, and Hayden have proved their might.

Personally I am very happy about KKR so far, because despite the dominating presence of a miraculous coach, they are losing every match. Their new captain hasn’t totaled fifty runs in 8 matches he played so far. Mr JB, What are you doing? Filling your bags with your foolish owner’s cash or formulating new theories that has no takers?