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Management Lessons from THALA (The Leader)

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In the classic IPL 2023 finals, 3 images have stayed with millions of cricket buffs and with me. Deepak Chahar drops a sitter with the classy and prolific Shubham Gill at just 3. Pan to MSD. A calm, stoic face and the game moves on; then Jadeja beats Gill as he lunges forward. Dhoni’s lightning fast reflexes are on show as he removes the bails in a flash (0.01 seconds). The bowler runs towards the wicket-keeper with eyebrows raised and the latter nods quietly. Yes, they have stumped the batter. It’s quite clear that Shubham Gill has been plotted out; as CSK are crowned champions Mahibhai is called to lift the trophy. But he has already invited Ambati Rayudu (who has announced his retirement)and Jadeja whose cameo hitting sealed the match on the last ball to join him on stage to receive the trophy. Then as the entire CSK contingent is celebrating we see the smiling captain at the back and corner.

The most impressive trait of the man is his unflappable temperament.  Ravi Shastri acknowledges this in his foreword to Bharat Sundaresan’s book, ‘The Dhoni Touch’, “Captain Cool may sound clichéd now but in many ways, it was an apt description as nothing could frazzle Dhoni. I have seen him remain steadfast and inscrutable as a monk in victory or in defeat.” The crucial lapse by Chahar could have rattled the team had their captain let out a stream of invectives and abuses. “But Thala is known to take the pressure off his players. He has always looked at the bigger picture in tight situations or even after a couple of defeats. Things will balance out in the longer run,” says Michael Hussey. In some of his interviews, Dhoni has revealed his mental resolve, “I feel frustrated. I feel angry at times. I feel disappointed. But none of these are constructive. What needs to be done is more important than any of these emotions.” His calmness both as India and CSK captain has soothed the nerves of the rest of the team and ensured that they stay focused and continue to believe in themselves. Not losing composure in stressful situations is the key to positive team spirit and sustainable success. Our Corporate Managers can take a leaf from MSD’s book. Business targets have morphed into targeting team members- especially down the line. The simple mantra is that a good work environment (dressing room culture) translates into good results.

Some Corporate leaders today tend to complicate things, by an overdose of reviews and meetings and analysis. Dhoni is not too invested in cricket data analytics. He relies more on his observation skills and his deep appreciation of every nuance of the game. THALA has a genius for keeping things simple. Everything is not within our control. “Control the controllable things and attend to the small details and address the ground realities. More often than not results will be in your favour. If you don’t get desired results, accept and work to improve,” from a Dhoni interview. In a company setup, the controllables are mobilizing the right resources, deputing people to the right assignments, defining their roles and giving them space to deliver, facilitating teamwork & co-ordination, selecting the right leaders + Training, Upskilling, Motivation, Appreciation, and having their backs when there are bad days at the office. It’s not surprising to know that MSD often has dinner with the younger members of the team to put them at ease and to jell with them.

This attribute of MSD of having faith in and backing his players is a recurrent theme. Spinner Yuzi Chahal who has experienced his best days under his captaincy says, “Newcomers or with 15-20 match experience-MSD backs you and trusts you. A couple of bad matches does not shake his faith in you.” It’s only a game that is an oft-quoted response from Dhoni after losing a match or even a series. Connect the dots to the high success ratio at both the international levels and also in the IPL tournament. Hence it is that you don’t see much chopping and changing of players in the Dhoni era as became the norm later. Merit more than loyalty mattered to him.

This sanguine, down-to-earth mindset of Dhoni is commended by Shastri, “even in the new set up with Kohli as captain and with many youngsters- his mature understanding of the players and dressing room dynamics – Dhoni morphed into a pillar, advisor, and mentor without intruding into team management space.” Mahi had even earlier proved that he was the master of quietly taking charge without rocking the boat. The Art of Managing Egos. Catapulted to captaincy ahead of several Indian cricket superstars and former captains, he took his time, didn’t interfere with their proven methods, and managed to extract the best performances from these legends and the upcoming stars without ruffling feathers. Lest we forget the 2007 T 20 WC winning team was completely raw and the current CSK team was at best, average on paper.

MS Dhoni is an enigma to many as he is an unorthodox leader and a unique personality. His art of taking ownership has many levels- Being in the Present; keeping it simple but looking to improve;  thinking about results only puts more pressure on the team, so focus on the process; keeping emotions under control is more constructive- anger and frustration lead to wrong decisions; don’t throw in the towel till the result is decided. Devon Conway (CSK opener) gives more insights in an interview with Harsha Bhogle, “MS gives us a role and backs us to do the role. He steps into their shoes as everybody reacts differently to pressure.” So it is little surprise that Thala’s pre-match meetings last only 10 mins but he has a sequence of one-to-ones. Also what he has to say in team meets is already known to seniors but helps to get the others on the same page. His simple take is- A captain is only as good as his team.

At the workplace also, team members reciprocate and feel a sense of belonging and responsibility based on the trust shown to them by the leader.

Leading from the front has been his hallmark. A corporate honcho has to herself/himself excel in one or more domains-Sales, Finance, HR, Operations, Technology or their leadership will always be in doubt. Delegation is good but one cannot be a non-playing captain. MSD has been at the top of his game as a wicketkeeper, a batter (at various slots), and a captain responsible for every action on the field. The innovative and effective helicopter shot is synonymous with him. He personifies genuine multi-tasking across various formats of the game and often raises the bar. This means living in the moment and in leading the charge in whatever the role demands. Not everything he has touched has turned into gold. But he has always appeared in total command on the field- not scurrying around to mitigate a difficult situation.

The Best Finisher accolade he has earned is well deserved for his utmost capability to lead from the front even as the asking rate appeared to be beyond reach. An astonishing stat is that he has scored 4,000 runs in a winning cause batting at No. 5 or lower.  In ODI’s power hitting came into vogue because of him. No score was considered safe if he was batting for India. His batting average in successful chases in the ODI’s is the highest for any player in history- an incredible 102.71. The six to finish off the 2011 WC final is etched in a nation’s consciousness and has become part of folklore.

With 294 Test dismissals, 444 ODI dismissals and 91 T20 dismissals MS Dhoni is in a league of his own- the Don with gloves on… But as wicketkeeper cum captain he morphs into a different avatar. The stump mic has caught him advising bowlers on what and where to bowl or talking about the batter’s mind frame. Yuzi Chahal certifies that the plans have worked more than 70%of the time over a few overs.

Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. But the Thala halo also speaks of a brilliant cricketing mind. It has been said that he has the game all mapped out in his head. Amazingly, he is often on the right course. Shubham Gill was outwitted by the Dhoni-Jadeja combination in the IPL finale. But few may know that in the 2011 WC final a Dhoni-short of runs- promoted himself above the Man of the Tournament Yuvraj Singh in the batting order. His rationale- danger-man Muralitharan was bowling and he had played him often in the CSK nets. In the Champions Trophy of 2013 he asked Rohit Sharma to open with Shikhar Dhawan and a hundred partnership opened the floodgates to many more runs. The sharply observant Dhoni saw things that others overlooked.

Adam Gilchrist has commented about the MSD aura, “Sheer calm and confident body language evoked great respect and even fear in the opposition camp.” The ultimate tribute has come from the master himself-Sachin Tendulkar, “Calm, positive and always one step ahead of the opposition. The best captain I have played under.”

He has always shared credit with the team and taken the heat for the losses. The 2011 WC winning team photograph also shows him in a corner with other team members at the front and center. After this heady win, it was all downhill for Dhoni and the Men in Blue as they faced one embarrassing loss after another in the Test series in England and Australia. It took great strength of character to bounce back with the sheer weight of performance once again. His announcement to retire from Test cricket during the Australia series in 2014-15 speaks volumes about the man.  “90 Tests. The temptation to reach a milestone 100 is almost impossible to resist not to mention the power of captaincy. But he bid adieu as he believed he couldn’t give it his all,” comments Ravi Shastri.

MSD has always had the street-smart brain to cut through the clutter and reach a decision correctly. His technique both behind and in front of the stumps has been unconventional to say the least. He himself believes that millions connect with him as his cricket mirrors their gully cricket style. The sea of yellow at stadiums across India during the IPL is an unusual social phenomenon. It goes way beyond hero worship to a massive cult following. That this man from Jharkhand has been so warmly embraced by the people of Chennai and Tamil Nadu has a powerful message for our political netas. His respect for the people, their culture, and his humanity and simplicity, have made him their very own ICON.

In this era of omnipresent social media, this celebrity cricketer is totally missing from Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. He considers it a distraction and an addiction. In his own wry manner, he says, “Core job is to play well for India in cricket. If you do that there will be enough likes and enough followers.”

The incredible journey of this railway ticket collector from Ranchi to Chennai and beyond has not been without controversy. The CSK-RR match-fixing scandal and the banning of both teams from the IPL for two seasons must have scarred him badly. He has called it the lowest point in his life. The 2016 film, ‘MS Dhoni-the Untold Story’ produced by his friend Arun Pandey did not reveal anything. Mahi only spoke about it in the documentary ‘Roar of the Lions’ on Hotstar in 2019. Another cautionary tale is the conflict of interest issue with Rhiti Sports (where Dhoni had a 15% stake) also managing the careers and fortunes of his CSK team-mates- Raina, Jadeja, and Ojha.

The 2023 IPL final was heralded as MSD’s ‘Last Dance’ with the CSK team.  But the cricketing legend has now metamorphosed into a national emotion. After his recent knee surgery he will likely return to CSK in IPL 2024 as a captain for a few matches and as a Mentor for the team and franchise. The final hurrah will be played out at Chepauk.

Magical Messi & King Kohli

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The Argentine- an iconic, mesmerizing footballer. The Indian is a charismatic cricket superstar. Both have immeasurably enriched, enhanced, and influenced their sport. The Internet and social media are overflowing with information about their goals and assists or runs and centuries and trophies and awards. However, it’s more intriguing to explore their seminal impact on football and cricket and beyond. More than an 8th Ballon d’Or trophy, what excites me is the real possibility of Messi holding up the Super Ballon d’Or later this year. A unique recognition for the player of a generation. The only previous awardee was Alfred Di Stefano in 1989. Virat Kohli has been proclaimed the ICC Player of the Decade (2011-20) and won a hat-trick of Wisden Cricketer of the Year awards from 2016-18.

Enough has been said about the sublime, magical skills of Leo Messi with football. Over the last 15 years, he has weaved an extraordinary dimension around The Beautiful Game. But what the world witnessed before and after the classic WC final in Qatar was staggering- a global, social phenomenon of heartfelt support for Messi to lift the WC trophy with the Argentina team. This overwhelming emotion has been captured by the legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo 9, “This guy’s football throws away any rivalry to the corner. I saw lots of Brazilians and people from all over the world rooting for Messi in this electrifying final. A farewell worthy of a genius-who far beyond a World Cup star- captured an era.” Former President Obama and basketball megastar LeBron James felicitated him as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Roger Federer served in his elegant manner, “Time and Time again, Leo Messi, you have redefined greatness.” Messi kissing the World Cup is the most liked post on social media. And get this- the outpouring of support by Bangladesh supporters led to the resumption of normal diplomatic ties with Argentina re-opening its embassy in Dhaka-closed since 1978.

A slice of the humongous praise Lionel Messi has earned over the years. The Dutch great Frank Rijkaard says that “his goals are a piece of art” and the late Radomir Antic’ referred to him as ‘the Mozart of football.’ Arsene Wenger (Arsenal football manager) has said that “Messi is the footballer from a PlayStation game, things that are impossible to do, he makes them possible.” Jose Mourinho’s (Head Coach, Roma) one-word take on Messi = ‘ Magic.’

The burden of expectations on the Argentinan forward has been brutal. To his everlasting credit, he has taken it all in his stride with grace, dignity, and an indomitable spirit. For years many fellow Argentines had not considered him as one of their own.  He was part of FC Barcelona in faraway Spain. Maradona and the famous 1986 WC victory were the albatross around his neck. It did not matter that he had won the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with the Argentina team; it did not matter that he had single-handedly taken an average national side to the 2014 WC final against Germany which they lost 1-0; it did not matter that he had won the Golden Ball award (player of the tournament); it also did not matter that he inspired his team to 2 consecutive Copa America finals as they lost. After the disastrous 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia at the Qatar WC, the GOAT was mercilessly trolled and compared to the camel. There were even graphic references to what happened to the GOAT. Millions of Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) fans jumped in with relish.

Manager Scaloni and many in the Argentina team have openly stated that they had come forward to rally behind their captain for ‘The Last Dance’ win for Messi at Doha. The Golden Gloves winner Emiliano Martinez put across his loyalty simply, “I want to give him life. I want to die for him.” Angel di Maria, who also played a stellar role at the Qatar tournament, harked back to the Copa America finals in 2021. He had earlier missed the WC final in 2014 & the 2 Copa America finals thereafter due to injuries. Messi told him that this was his final and his moment to shine. The personal touch.  The attacking midfielder rose to the occasion by scoring the only goal of the match.  

Argentina’s most famous person is also known for his humility and sportsmanship. His astounding record of assists shows him to be the ultimate team player. He has never taken a dive to get a free kick or penalty awarded. Hence, the testy exchanges with the Netherlands coach and the criticism of the referee came as a surprise to many who had followed his career. In a recent interview, he expressed his regrets for the controversy. Grapevine has it that his wife scolded him for his messy behavior. Just goes to show that a footballer often described as an alien from another planet is also human. The Leo Messi Foundation has a bigger goal. It has done exceptional philanthropic work in health, education, and sports. His Euro 1 million donation for clinics and healthcare facilities during the pandemic in Argentina also happened without much fanfare.

Tennis star Andy Murray recently asked, “if the 5ft 7 Messi is the best athlete ever.” At age 35, he played every single moment of the Argentina campaign, every grueling minute of the 7 matches including the 139 mins vs Netherlands and the 141 minutes against France.

Virat Kohli has been described as a Phenom, a Run Machine, a batting virtuoso, and the proud face of Indian cricket. His athleticism and in-the-face aggression have resonated hugely with countless millions of Indian cricket fans. Sunil Gavaskar, the batting maestro, makes his point with a straight drive, “To become a good player you need talent. To become a truly great player you need an attitude like Virat.” Australia’s champion Ricky Ponting is “not sure if I have ever seen a white ball cricketer better than Kohli.”  It’s also pertinent to recall that he was a part of the 2008 U19 WC winning team and also a part of MS Dhoni’s 2011 ODI WC champion squad.

Kohli’s true legacy as a captain was his focus on raising the fitness levels of the players. The Yo-Yo test has been the benchmark of fitness in the Indian cricket team since 2017. This is essentially an aerobic test that tests the endurance of a player at increasing speeds until exhaustion. The cut-off was raised from 16.1 to 16.5 to the current 17.1. Only Hardik Pandya and Manish Pandey have scored a little higher than Kohli. He has also been the inspiration for a number of current and emerging players with his special perspective and passion for the game. The other laudable initiative was that even the lower-order batsmen would spend quality time batting in the nets. The tail should value their wickets and wag vigorously whenever the team needed. Hence, we have the current scenario where Ashwin, Shami, and Axar Patel are taking the fight to the Australian bowlers and winning matches for India.

There are many similarities between Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both are cast in the same mold.  CR7 is considered the ultimate physical athlete and Kohli’s diet and exercise regime have become part of Indian cricket lore. Both are intense and aggressive on the field. Ronaldo’s fallout with the Man U coach and subsequent exit takes us back to Kohli getting Kumble removed as coach and replaced by Shastri.  The Portuguese footballer’s controversial interview with Piers Morgan taking down Man U and coach Erik ten Hag; the recent sting operation which again revealed the perceived ego clash between Kohli and BCCI chief Ganguly and what was said and not said during the former’s pre-South Africa tour conference. Also in both cases, celebrity Dom has far transcended football or cricket. CR7 has the highest Instagram following for any sportsperson at 537 million. Lionel Messi has around 400 million followers. Kohli is by far the most followed cricket player in the world with around 130 million glued to him on Instagram. Roger Federer and footballer Sergio Ramos are among them. A juicy titbit- Kohli has converted Kishore Kumar’s bungalow ‘Gauri Kunj’ in Juhu into a swanky restaurant as part of his ‘One 8 Commune’ chain. VK is a passionate fan of KK but is also following in the food steps of Kapil Dev, Ganguly, and Zaheer Khan. On the social service front, his VK Foundation (2013) has done commendable work in supporting the underprivileged and vulnerable sections of society through education and sports workshops. Anushka Sharma’s mission to take care of stray dogs in Mumbai has now expanded to providing food, shelter, and Vet facilities for the strays.

Kohli’s post to CR7 after Portugal’s exit from the WC, “No title can explain the impact you’ve had on people and what I and so many around the world feel when we watch you play. That’s a gift from God.” But titles do matter for logging in to the all-time Hall of Fame, be it in an individual or team sport; whether it’s Usain Bolt or Djokovic, Chicago Bulls, or the Men in Blue. The glaring difference in the incredible success stories of Messi and Kohli is that the former was under relentless pressure to deliver the WC and Copa America titles for Argentina.  Kohli has had a relatively easy pass even during his slump in form with the BCCI, the media, and his vast fan following all being supportive. Even when he got out for a low score the cameras stayed with him and his doing a small dance jig in the dressing room went viral.

Now we are looking at Kohli 2.0. A somewhat mellowed person, past the burn-out phase and regaining his prime form.  But the game of cricket has changed dramatically over the last few years. Brendon McCullum and the English team have brought Bazball into Test cricket- attacking, entertaining, high-scoring games rather than playing defensive cricket to preserve wickets. So the England side topped 500 runs in a day in Pakistan in just under 75 overs. The 400-run barrier has been regularly breached in the 50-over format. 250 plus in the T20 game does not raise any eyebrows anymore. Indian cricket now looks at its talisman Virat Kohli to be in the zone in key matches- such as smashing a blistering 166 runs in 110 balls as he did against Sri Lanka and 82 runs in 53 balls in that sensational knock at the MCG against Pakistan in the T20 WC.

The Indian team will likely play Australia in the World Test Championship final at the Oval in June 2023. Followed by the ODI World Cup on home soil in Oct- Nov 2023. On the 18th Dec 2022, Lionel Messi had the world at his feet. Will the year 2023 see the grand coronation of King Kohli?!

Overhyped? Or Underachievers?

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PIC COURTESY: HEMANT SINGH

The drubbings at the hands of Pakistan and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup tick both the boxes in the above title. Getting thrashed by 10 wickets and 8 wickets is akin to an innings defeat in a Test match. The Men in Blue are out of another ICC major championship —only this time not making it to the knock-out stage.

Is it such a rude shock? Not really. First, the hype. The IPL is the world’s most glamorous cricket carnival hosted by the richest cricket body, the BCCI. It has given opportunity and confidence to the younger players and enhanced the fitness levels of our cricketers. Some of India’s best have been spotted by IPL franchise scouts; Bumrah was discovered by the Mumbai Indians. The flip side is that it does not have the intensity found in major ICC tournaments or even in well-contested series especially with the SENA nations. The cricketers are feted as celebrities and the real contest and the competitive edge are missing. But here lies the catch. The fortunes of the IPL and Team India are interlinked. If the latter continues to underperform at major tournaments, the mass following for the IPL will dwindle.

Many well-paid commentators, including ex-cricketer experts, have all jumped onto the gravy train. So on international series and tours, they no longer objectively call out selection mistakes, wrong captaincy calls, poor reading of the game, bad sportsmanship, or cracks appearing in team spirit. So when Shastri says that this is the greatest Indian team ever, there is a chorus of approvals. While Kohli says his team can win from any situation, there is chest-thumping in the media. Overconfidence leads to bad results. Curiously, there is very little focus on Impact players from the other teams. Remember that Harsha Bhogle was put out in the cold for some time a few years back. His sin – he had something good to say about the competing international players also. Millions of die-hard fans have been fed this false narrative that our cricket team is head and shoulders above the other teams. Bad days like the 36 all out at Adelaide and the 78 at Headingley on the recent England tour and the defeats at the 2019 ODI WC and the World Test Championships in 2021 are all swept under the carpet.

Indian cricket has an abundance of talent and bench strength which is the envy of other cricketing nations. But this has to be mobilized and harnessed effectively by the captain, coach, selectors, and the BCCI. Captain Kohli’s in-one’s-face aggression has won him a huge legion of fans. But such relentless intensity has also undermined his batsmanship – he is showing symptoms of burn-out. He has been crass and hyper on the field and per reliable reports in the dressing room also. The dressing room environment gradually creeps onto the cricket field. It is bound to affect both team spirit and individual performances. Both are two sides of the same coin. Now let’s talk about Mr Shastri. As the captain’s hand-picked coach and Yes Man, he is also accountable for our futile run at the ICC tournaments. With a rich repository of cricket talent to tap into, this is not acceptable. The toxicity started with the ouster of Kumble as coach at Kohli’s behest and the silence from the BCCI and the cricket establishment. Virat Kohli has gradually become bigger than the game in India. Erratic selection, benching of in-form players, taking decisions solely by instinct, and throwing tantrums have all become acceptable over the years. Analytics inputs or sensible advice from the outside even by a reputed name have all been given the short end of the stick. Team bonding and consistency have suffered and even seasoned players have not played up to their potential.

The extended bio-bubble may have taken its toll on the players. It is also possible that some had tired legs or felt stale with the second leg of the IPL just before the WC T20. But this does not tell the entire story. Pakistan’s cricket team is driven by hunger, anger, and passion. They feel marginalized on the world cricket circuit and have grabbed this opportunity to drive home their point. They are playing out of their skins.

Front and Centre are 2 subjects which are almost taboo topics for our cricketing establishment or brotherhood. Thankfully, Madan Lal has been critical about the scheduling of the IPL second leg just before the T20 WC.  Kapil Dev has gone even further- whether the Indian cricketers are giving more preference to this cash rich franchise league than to the singular honour of playing for the country. In the future the BCCI will have to give serious thought to player work-loads and series and tournament schedules with the prime focus being that the Men in Blue bring home some much needed silverware. Else they are killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. The success of the Indian Premier League draws from the success of the national cricket team.

The other relates to Virat Kohli’s captaincy. I guess the jury will always be out on this one. Kohli has become an icon for millions of Indian fans not only because of superlative batting performances but because of his raw aggression, passion for fitness and wearing his heart on his sleeve. Even after his team’s very disappointing exit from the ongoing T20 WC his army of admirers on social media hail him as King Kohli. The cricketing experts and the media in general are tip-toeing around the subject with diplomatic grace. We are living in some strange bubble.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Rahul Dravid will be the next coach. A true cricketing legend and a mentor for many of the younger stars through U19, India ‘A’, and the National Cricket Academy. Immense match experience and cricketing acumen: focused, grounded, level-headed, and universally respected. When The Wall walked out to bat one could see the Indian tricolour fluttering in the breeze. But he has his work cut out. There are challenging times ahead and he has to be given a free hand. Virat Kohli continues as captain for the Tests and ODI’s. Will he listen, change, adapt or even reinvent himself? Regain his mojo as a masterclass batsman? Some of the impressionable youngsters have bought into the hype and the celebrity-dom. They have to face the reality check and rediscover their day-to-day balance. Dravid’s mission is not just to get the Indian cricket team to bond together and play to their fullest potential. He has to get each person on the Indian team to value and respect the India cap to the fullest. And even more. Play to win but with the sporting spirit currently demonstrated by Kane Williamson’s Kiwis.

The Gift of Captaincy

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On the 19th Jan 2021, the Indian cricket team breached the ‘Gabbatoir’ in Brisbane, Australia. The hosts had last lost a Test there in 1988, against the Viv Richards led great West Indian side. This series win has caused mass frenzy amongst the Indian cricket fans and pundits alike. ‘The Underdog Miracle’, ‘Against All Odds’, ‘A Fairy Tale Win’, ‘The Gabba Heist’ and ‘The Greatest Comeback in Cricket History’ are just some of the awe-struck and superlative reactions and headlines. Social media has gone berserk. After the shameful 36 all out debacle at Adelaide, to pull off the stunning win at the MCG, fight to a stirring draw at Sydney and finally that wonderfully scripted victory at the Gabba seemed unreal and straight off the ultimate feel-good movie triumph. Some of the Indian papers summed up the cricket series thriller with ‘Ajinkya’ (Invincible).

Delve into the sub-texts and one discovers even more astounding layers to the story. The Men in Blue were truly Down-and-Under after the humiliating 36 in the First Test. On Boxing Day at the MCG, the tourists were already depleted without their captain and best batsman and some other major players hobbling along. But then each session, each innings and each Test called out for its own heroes. Debutants and novices and net-practice bowlers rose to the occasion and the national call. As did the few seniors remaining- Rahane, Pujara, Bumrah, Ashwin and Jadeja.  For the decider match, the last three were also ruled out because of injuries. The India XI were reduced to the ‘Hardly XI’ as an Aussie paper put it.

So what was the X-factor? Kohli left on paternity leave after the disastrous First Test. In stepped his understated deputy, Ajinkya Rahane. His astute marshalling of his team and calm disposition played a defining role in what played out thereafter. In a blog I had posted before the WC 2019 (Captain Kohli) I had submitted that the best player does not necessarily the best captain make. Kohli’s undoubted greatness as a batsman notwithstanding. Truly MASTERCLASS. Think about Ian Botham’s dismal stint as the England captain before his break-out Ashes series under Mike Brearley.  Kohli is a force of nature. His passion, his focus and his fitness have left an indelible mark on our cricket. RESPECT. However, his hyper temperament does not make him the right man to lead this Indian side into the sacred pantheon of the All Time Great Teams which demand a sterling overseas track record.

This is not a simplistic debate about aggression vs composure. One of our best captains ‘Dada’ Ganguly was aggressive and even dubbed as arrogant by some. At times he wore his heart on his sleeve. But his cricketing judgments remained sharp and the emotional connect with even the younger members added depth and dimension to his leadership. Remember that he steered the Indian team after the infamous match-fixing scandal and also mentored emerging small town players who later became big names.In the Indian context at least, empathy and bonding and understanding make a big difference- on challenging tours and in big-match situations. The dressing-room environment matters a lot. Come to think of it, Rahane did show a quiet, steely resolve backed up by game-plans and with the entire team on board. But in today’s hyped-up times this may perhaps not qualify as aggressive intent.

So let’s look at the Rahane Effect. Brearley in his book, ‘The Art of Captaincy’ says, “That it is not about winning or losing. It’s about getting the best out of the team you have.” Our stand-in skipper did just that- extracted every ounce of performance from his team, no matter what the situation. He was approachable and the team related to him. The grapevine tells us that he did not tell his men what to do. He just gave them space and re-assurance and they responded magnificently. After all, he counted himself amongst them. The team plays under Kohli. It plays with and for Rahane.

The team-huddle; Rahane with a few key words and a composed tone, with Rohit Sharma, Ashwin, Bumrah, Pujara and Jadeja weighing in. Contrast to Kohli. Mostly a monologue – at times peppered with intensity. Is it any wonder that Bumrah walked back with the debutant Siraj to the top of his run-up. Or that the Indian lower-order batsmen refused to give up. Ashwin and Vihari with back spasms and a hamstring problem. Later Thakur and Sundar stepped up to the plate. Everyone’s contribution counted. Rahane had brought in empathy- the emotional quotient- and this resonated with the players. His special mention of Kuldeep Yadav after the Series win was one with this inclusiveness- this Brohood.

He read the games astutely and keenly. Like introducing Ashwin as first change in the 11th over of the game at the MCG. There was moisture in the wicket. It was a tactical master-stroke. He snared Wade and Smith in his first spell. Ashwin bowled a 12 over spell. Yadav 6 overs, Bumrah 5 overs and Siraj 6 overs. The longish spells allowed the bowlers to find their rythmn and work on their plans. The impatient Kohli had been known to change bowlers after a couple of overs if he sensed nothing was happening. Move to Brisbane on the 4th day. Australia comfortably placed with a 100 run lead and all wickets at hand. The Indian captain continued with his 2 slips and a gully field. Looking for wickets to contain runs. And sure enough, the hosts lost 5 wickets- 4 to catches by the keeper and the slips cordon. Or the decision to elevate Pant to the no 5 position at the SCG and Gabba- repaid in full by the game changing 97 and 89 N.O. knocks. On the 5th day at Brisbane as he walked back after a quick-fire innings he told the incoming Pant to bat out the few minutes before tea. Then revert to his natural self with the bat. Rahane’s calculation was that a target of around 145 was gettable in 35-38 overs if they had a few batters striking good. The clear-headed session by session approach. This when most of India was praying that we would hold out for a draw. The gamble of inducting Washington Sundar into the side with Kuldeep Yadav on the bench underlined the serious strategizing for the finale Test match.

His calmness was a major plus and kept the focus in place. After the racial slurs vented at Siraj by some spectators at the Sydney Test, Rahane stepped in. He firmly complained to the umpires and the referee asking that the guilty be evicted. They had come to play cricket but his players had to be respected. Having stood up for his man the game continued. Or his implacable demeanour when a clearly run-out Tim Paine was ruled not-out at the MCG. Virat Kohli would have ranted. Or his own run-out after a scintillating century on the same ground. He walked up to the disconsolate Jadeja at the other end with a pat and a, “No worry. Keep going. The team needs you.”

Lastly, setting an example as a leader. His impactful century (112) at the MCG turned the narrative for the series. The positive cameo knock (24 of 22 balls) after Gill’s classy 91 on the final day of the Brisbane Test showed India’s intent and kept back the Aussies from an all-out attack. The grit and courage of Pujara, the brilliance from Pant and the aggressive burst from Sundar completed the unbelievable last lap for India. The post-match presentation ceremony where he quickly shifted the limelight to his team and the handing over of the 100 match memento jersey to Nathan Lyon showed humility and grace in abundance (shades of Kane Williamson). Even the hard-boiled Aussies have been bowled over.

Contrast this to the frequent chopping and changing of the Indian team under Kohli (where Shastri had been complicit). Rahane benched for the first 2 Tests on the South African tour despite a good overseas record. The ever dependable Pujara dropped from a Test eleven on this important tour.  Now that both of them have become household names-recall these selection blunders. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar out of the second Test after a good show in the first Test. Whimsical, what!! It is commonly accepted by the experts that our disastrous 1-4 sojourn in England owed much to poor team selection. Two of the matches India lost were fairly close and could have gone our way with the right resources at hand.

His misreading of pitches and conditions has become a regular feature. On a dry Southampton wicket he opted for only one spinner- a half-fit Ashwin. The English went with Moeen Ali and Rashid. The Impact Player- Moeen Ali.  At the new Perth stadium in Australia the skipper got carried away by the history of the ground. We fielded 4 fast bowlers. Nathan Lyon gave the Man of the Match performance. Back to England where the defensive field settings allowed the English middle order to flourish and take control of the matches. Even at the IPL level it has been oft been said that RCB would surely have won a trophy by now if only AB de Villiers had been the captain.

Let me bring in Paddy Upton, a renowned mental coach + a professional cricket coach from South Africa to drive home the point. He had been associated with the Indian cricket squad when Gary Kirsten was the coach. His observations, “Kohli has the fear factor making others insecure and even inferior. Under him the team views everyday details as a chore. When people burden their mind it is hard to get them to be free and to play the game the way it works for them. Kohli is very demonstrative- exuberant in his celebrations but also not empathic on the field whilst showing anger or anguish. His team-mates walk on thin ice, afraid of making a mistake. Once a player tightens up he is no longer the player he is meant to be. On the other hand Rahane is equanimous. His calm and general demeanour allows him to be approachable and relatable to the team.  He has fire and courage within him but controlled. That is why they played so well at the Gabba.” And then the ultimate compliment, “That level of camaraderie I haven’t seen in Test cricket for a while.”

What about Kohli’s handpicked coach- Shastri? This Australia tour has been a boon for him-just being at the right place at the right time. Some of the credit will rub off on him and he will milk and spin it for all it is worth. Especially the so-called rousing speech he gave to the team after the Adelaide debacle- wear this 36 as a badge and it will never happen again.  Shastri is the ultimate Indian cricket establishment figure and so no one will call him out. He is an over-rated loyalist who knows which side of his bread is buttered. Remember his bombast before the WC 2019, calling the team the greatest Indian side ever. A side-kick, a cheer-leader for Virat Kohli- it is high time we found a coach with more professionalism and integrity.

Cricket is a game where the acumen and people- skills of the captain (and coach) really matter. And nowhere is this more tested than in a hard fought Test series. This is the Kohli- Shastri overseas record in the SENA countries since 2017, 1-2 South Africa- 18-19, 1-4 England- 2018, 0-2 New Zealand-2020, and 2-1 Australia- 2018. The context for the last Australia tour which counts as his most famous win is that Smith and Warner were missing and the Aussies were struggling to come out of the sand-paper gate cheating scandal. Else, he is the most successful Indian captain because of wins against the languishing West Indies and Sri Lanka and solid performances on home turf.

Indian cricket is now poised on the cusp of greatness. The best fast bowling attack in our history. Match-winner spinning options. Batsmen who can dig in for hours or change the game in an hour. Tremendous bench-strength. Improved fitness and high confidence levels. But if we have to be rated with the great West Indian teams under Lloyd and Richards or the Aussie teams under Steve Waugh and Ponting, we still have much to prove. Consistent winning performances across formats and dominating overseas tours to the SENA nations.

Despite this wake-up call, Kohli will remain the India captain even for the Tests. At the BCCI no one has the balls to out him. Hopefully, the other players will step out of his aura after this seminal series and stamp their own identity on the field. Perhaps, Virat (Colossus) can reach out to Ajinkya (Invincible) to forge a formidable partnership. Hopefully, Captain Kohli 2.0 will inspire and lead The Men In Blue into Cricket’s Hall of Fame for the legendary cricket teams.

What should change is at the Head Coach position. A Rahul Dravid or a Zaheer Khan can play a defining role and balance out the Kohli excesses. Lest we forget, many of the overnight heroes from the recent tour Down Under,- Gill, Pant, Sundar, Siraj-have been groomed and mentored by Dravid at the India A & Under-19 levels.

Indian Cricket is in for some exciting times ahead. Time to take fresh guard, mark the bowling run-up afresh and set the right field.

Captain Kohli

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Virat Kohli alongwith MSD is the biggest sporting hero in the country today. He is simply all over the place- on TV, Twitter, Instagram, You-Tube, magazines and of course, the Manyawar ads. He is the youth icon married to a glamorous film star. His is the face of Success. The hairstyle and carefully trimmed beard are the rage in upmarket salons and at downtown hair-dressers.

He is at the top of his game. Already rated as one of the greatest batsman the world of cricket has ever seen. Across all formats-Tests, ODI’s, T20’s. He is getting even more dominantly consistent.

He is also the Indian cricket captain. And therein hangs the tale.

The first warning signs came when the impetuous young man forced the BCCI to sack Anil Kumble as team manager in favour of his own man, Ravi Shastri. There was muted criticism from some sections of the media and from some ex-cricketers. Nobody dared to take  the young prince head-on. After all the powerful Board had pathetically caved in before their eyes. Why jeopardise their own chances of jumping on to the gravy train. There was the glaring example of popular commentator Harsha Bhogle who was sidelined for a season. He had to toe the line. Join the club to reap the rewards.

Ravi Shastri fits the bill. Over-rated for his cricketing acumen, he was more the brash and loud establishment cricket expert. A complete loyalist who knows which side his bread is buttered. He has evolved into a side-kick, glorified chamcha and cheer-leader for Kohli.

With the gross IPL culture kicking in you need seasoned and grounded people to lead the national cricket team. The MEN IN BLUE. The pride of the country. Yes, the fitness and fielding standards have remarkably improved. Our youngsters are no longer awed by the Aussies or the West Indians. But the money and glamour have exacted a heavy price. The pride of wearing the India cap is not what it used to be. When a Rahul Dravid walked in to bat you could see the tricolor fluttering in all its glory.

The Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul episode on a chat show gave an insight into the rot which has set in. There is no moralising here. It is the crassness, the insensitivity, the arrogance of privilege and entitlement, the sheer irresponsibility which is abhorrent. It gives a disturbing insight into the team culture. There is no captain or coach or manager to rap their knuckles, counsel them or rein them in.

We cannot ape, say, the Carribean life-style and deliver consistently at the top tournaments and over-seas tours. The discipline, the focus which motivates truly great teams is simply not there. Yes, our guys will have their moments in the sun, win an occasional series abroad but will not make that special cut- an all-time great team.

A master batsman and superb out-fielder need not be a great captain. The best player in the team is not nessacarily the only choice for this critical role.

Virat, the captain, is incompetent if you see through the aura around him. His mis-reading of pitches has become a regular feature. On a dry Southampton wicket on the England tour he opted for only one spinner, a half-fit Ashwin. The hosts played Moeen Ali and Rashid. The Impact player-Moeen. Likewise,at the new Perth stadium our skipper packed the team with four fast bowlers-taken in by the history of the ground. The Aussies had Nathan Lyon who gave the man of the match performance. In the first match of this IPL season he again mis-read the turner at Chepauk and the RCB were roundly thrashed. He also gets critical things like the dew factor wrong in the shorter formats of the game and puts the team at a disadvantage.

The other serious concern is the frequent chopping and changing in the side which undermines player morale and team spirit. For instance, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was summarily dropped from the Centurion Test after a good all round outing in the first Test of the South Africa tour. Pujara has been dropped thrice despite being our most dependable Test batsman with a sterling over-seas record. Ajinkya Rahane had a fine run from 2013-15 but is now a shadow of the player he was because of the inexplicable and ad-hoc approach of the captain. Then, there are those who continue to be in the playing XI despite their inconsistencies and weaknesses exposed for all to see.

Last but not the least is the famous Virat temper. This unrelenting intensity may be firing-up the batsman in him. However, this constant state of tension is unhealthy for the team in what is essentially a team sport. Where team-spirit, strategy, camaraderie and every little contribution counts. To have your captain constantly on edge must be pretty un-settling for the Indian players. The confession of the young Rishabh Pant is revealing-‘ what he fears most is the skipper’s anger’.

It is his misfortune that he steps into the huge shoes of MS Dhoni. Captain Cool. The player’s man. The Motivator. The Finisher. One of the most successful skippers ever. The de-facto leader when both are playing together. The MSD shadow must be over-powering.

Let us rejoice in the supreme skills of Virat Kohli the batsman and cricketer. Let us cheer on his inevitable progress into cricket’s hallowed Hall of Fame. However, let him be freed from the burdens of captaincy. The torch should soon be passed on to someone better suited to the leadership role albeit he be a lesser player than the master.

Finally it is the performance of the Indian cricket team which matters to us. Their success and dominance is what ultimately fuels the passion of the fans. And drives them in droves to watch the IPL circus. Fortunately,RCB is in line for an early exit from the IPL. India needs Virat Kohli firing from all cylinders on the biggest stage- the World Cup. And with Dhoni behind the stumps, who knows???