Rahul Dravid steps down-What next ?

[Animator!]

I already mentioned that my grouse with Dravid's captaincy goes beyond the immediate series victory or defeat. In fact, under his captaincy I've noticed that India's overall cricket has gone slightly backwards.

Besides I cannot understand why you are writing off Yuvraj so quickly. He's certainly not the youngest player around and I cannot believe that he will be questioned by the senior players. And I think he's got enough experience to handle the job and handle the senior players in the side now.

Besides, a lot of countries have younger captains with senior players playing under them. E.g. South Africa with Graeme Smith and Pollock playing under him. Then Glenn McGrath under Ricky Ponting and so on. But they don't have any issues.

Why should India have a problem with a younger captain? And if there are problems, then the senior players should be disciplined. No longer how long you've played the game, the game is always bigger than individuals. I think the biggest problem with Indian cricket is that even the fans pay too much attention to individuals at times ahead of the team.

Glenn McGrath was never in the frame to captain Australia at any stage. Shaun Pollock whilst he did captain South Africa is not treated like a god to the same level that Sourav and especially Sachin are in India. If your younger players grow up seeing these people as gods then they are more likely to respect and side with these. The point your missing is that Cricket in India is blown out of proportion because of the fanatical support. In England, Australia, South Africa, the countries you draw your examples from, no matter how good a player is he is never seen and respect and worshipped on the same level as players in India so you cannot draw those comparisons at all.

The matter of the point being that, India do not have a World Class captain in their ranks, at all. The majority of the Indian fans on here seem to think that a captain on the same level as Stephen Fleming, Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting are regularly occuring. Michael Vaughan spent two years under the guidance of his senior players and past captains before he really ever became the innovative, imaginative captain that people today see as a great captain. It's the same story with Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming, all of these players grew into the role, it took them time but their fans and boards are prepared to put time into players growing and maturing, which is clearly not the case amongst the Indians.

 

[harishankar]

Glenn McGrath was never in the frame to captain Australia at any stage. Shaun Pollock whilst he did captain South Africa is not treated like a god to the same level that Sourav and especially Sachin are in India. If your younger players grow up seeing these people as gods then they are more likely to respect and side with these. The point your missing is that Cricket in India is blown out of proportion because of the fanatical support. In England, Australia, South Africa, the countries you draw your examples from, no matter how good a player is he is never seen and respect and worshipped on the same level as players in India so you cannot draw those comparisons at all.

The matter of the point being that, India do not have a World Class captain in their ranks, at all. The majority of the Indian fans on here seem to think that a captain on the same level as Stephen Fleming, Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting are regularly occuring. Michael Vaughan spent two years under the guidance of his senior players and past captains before he really ever became the innovative, imaginative captain that people today see as a great captain. It's the same story with Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming, all of these players grew into the role, it took them time but their fans and boards are prepared to put time into players growing and maturing, which is clearly not the case amongst the Indians.

I didn't miss that point at all. In fact I mentioned it. But just because that's the case, doesn't mean it should continue. We need to become more professional and give less importance to individuals.

Seeing Ganguly Dravid or Tendulkar as God is all fine when you're watching the game, but on the field all players are equal and need to contribute equally to win. And if a younger player is captain, Tendulkar Ganguly or Dravid need to accept his leadership and the captain needs to assert himself. This kind of culture has to creep into Indian cricket if we want to win World cups.

Indian cricket culture has got to change. And maybe it needs to be forced to change. Keeping the same old traditions won't help.

 

[Animator!]

It's clearly not the case that all players are equal in the changings rooms though, thats my point. Chappell said it was the largest problem with the side when he was sacked. The younger, newer players only respond to the likes of Tendulkar and Ganguly. If a younger players take control I fully admit that I feel Sachin and Rahul will accept their authority and leadership, but Sourav most certainly won't. He's too much of an ignorant, stubborn person.

 

[harishankar]

It's clearly not the case that all players are equal in the changings rooms though, thats my point. Chappell said it was the largest problem with the side when he was sacked. The younger, newer players only respond to the likes of Tendulkar and Ganguly. If a younger players take control I fully admit that I feel Sachin and Rahul will accept their authority and leadership, but Sourav most certainly won't. He's too much of an ignorant, stubborn person.

yeah, Greg Chappell tried to change the culture too quickly and thus got thrown out. It's difficult to change established practices in the dressing room, but at some point the BCCI has got to step in and remedy the disparity in issuing contracts, so that all players feel like they belong to the team -- not just the senior ones.

At present the captain seems to be ruling by council and Dravid seems to be easily influenced by others around him. One of his problems is that he's just not assertive enough or so it seems.

 

[iloveireland]

At present the captain seems to be ruling by council and Dravid seems to be easily influenced by others around him. One of his problems is that he's just not assertive enough or so it seems.

Yes I agree. He appears not be very assertive imo.

 

[icyman]

You have to think, if we drop Dravid, who'll replace him? The fact of the matter is that there isn't anybody right now. He needs to hang on another year or so why a Kaif or a Yuvraj establishes themselves in the side, then he can step aside but not right now. It'd only create more problems.

Besides, Yuvraj as captain now wouldn't work

Yuvraj has been around for 7 years now.He is a senior person in the team and I see no reason as to why he would not work.
Graeme Smith worked for SA.
Shoaib Malik is captaining Pak now.

I can't wait when the Aussies and Pakistan come to India later this year.
Finally a Chance for Dravid to shut you people and all the other critics up.
Sachin's done it. Souravs' Done it. Rahul has been "Mr. Dependible" for years now and its finally his chance. he'll do it too.

Sachin's done it ?
Who is the worst captain India ever had then ?
Tendulkar or Dravid ?

We have seen what he has done against Bangladesh,i wouldnt be surprised if he repeats the same against Australia and Pakistan.

I am more scared that Aussies and Pakistanis are coming now

I'd second that !

I reckon we should give Dravid a little while longer to see what he can realy do.

I think we have already given him a lot of time to prove himself.And if a captain cannot win from 112-7,he has to go !

 

[Animator!]

I was actually talking about Test cricket when I was referring to Kaif/Yuvraj not being regulars and being out of the side, not ODI's.

 

[icyman]

Well if you actually have a specialist ODI player as the ODI captain ,how would it matter ?
E.g- If Micheal Bevan was the Aussie ODI captain,would it have mattered ?

I see no problem with that.
The problem in India,though,is that you do have Test spots which have been reserved for the likes of Tendulkar,Ganguly,Dravid and Laxman.Not that they are bad,but just that they are too good.

 

[irottev]

Breaking news. He's stepped down from captaincy in both forms of the game.

The right move to be honest. Dravid is a smart person/player. It just didn't work with him though.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Dravid Resigns!!

Dravid resigns as India captain

Cricinfo staff

September 14, 2007

Rahul Dravid has resigned as India captain, Cricinfo has learnt. In a letter written to the Indian board, he has asked to be relieved of the captaincy before Australia's forthcoming tour of India, beginning later this month.

-Cricinfo

http://content-gulf.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/310880.html

Sorry, but, WHOOOO!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

You guys got what you wished for. He's stepped down.


Who will take over now??? I'd say Kaif, he is the best option in India, but the selectors might think differently. Could end up being one of Yuvraj, Dhoni or Sehwag.

 

[angryangy]

Bowed to pressure from Planetcricket forums.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

This is a good news He can now relax as there will no more presseure .

Bowed to pressure from Planetcricket forums.

lol .......... :laugh

 

[irottev]

I can already see more people giving a toss about this then Fleming stepping down/being replaced.

:/

 

[angryangy]

I think the selectors will pick a captain from the team, rather than bring in a player who has so far not been an impressive performer.