Indian cricket needs only one captain

Indian cricket is going through a phase where more captains are being produced than ever before. A packed Indian cricket route is definitely an important factor. Due to its huge following, the Indian team is one that every country wants to play against. The commercial success of matches played with or against India greatly benefits all concerned.

The Indian cricket team is at full throttle and takes on the constant nonstop schedule against the cricket wave with tireless responsibility. The only downside that seems to sway them is when they are most needed, their engine seems to falter. Too much cricket leading to fatigue and exhaustion becomes a perpetual excuse and over time a poor performance is sated and forgotten.

Indian cricket is full of talented cricketers who seem to live by the very popular saying, “Some clouds bring rain and some just pass by”. The number of cricketers who have graced the India cap in the recent past would be hard to recall or recollect even for a well versed cricket follower. There have been so many that should have either led Indian cricket to a flowering of trophies or made them a unit that looks invincible. However, this has not happened yet, despite seeing the potential of its possibilities through the regular victories achieved by the Indian cricket team in bilateral series.

Likewise, the main concern for new Indian cricketers is the flow of captains who have led India in all three formats of the game. One wonders if in the current highly professional set-up of the cricket team, the coach and his support staff are the central figures in the management and direction of the team? The captain appears to be a leader who implements plans that have been nurtured off the field, not on it. Leadership in all fields of activity, both in business and in sports, must have a consistent head that must have the ability to dream, motivate and think ahead. In cricket, a captain is considered to be someone who leads, guides and directs his group of players. In order to do so, the team must fully understand, believe, believe and accept the actions of the captains. This confidence will only come through if the players have a confident leader who will stand by the player through thick and thin.

Unfortunately, in recent years, India have had 10 different people as captains. After the resignation of Virat Kohli, Indian cricket is in a quandary whether to have three different captains in the three versions of the game.

A captain is of prime importance in Test cricket. A team can win only by taking 20 wickets and for this a strategic thinker is needed as a leader. Indian cricket in its very early days struggled to identify one until Nawab Pataudi Jr, ‘Tiger’ came along. He brought about a cultural change in the mindset of an Indian cricketer. After that, the captaincy seemed to rest on the shoulders of icons and outstanding players.

The biggest change felt came in the early 2000s when Saurav Ganguly took over as captain. He was instrumental in building a side that united the youngsters with the established and looked a side that believed in their abilities. Under him, India became a force to be reckoned with.

The advent of T20 cricket and its growing popularity changed the fabric of a cricket captain’s thought process. Mahendra Singh Dhoni emerged as a messiah whose aggressive yet thoughtful analysis and excellent character made India a world batting side.

In 2011, India won the World Cup and also became the numero uno side in Test cricket.

In the last two decades, Ganguly and Dhoni are two good examples of the importance of a good leader. Indian cricket was expected to become the next powerhouse in world cricket after 2012, in the same way West Indies and Australians did in the past.

Although rated well in all formats of the game, India have not been able to live up to the hype in major tournaments organized by the ICC.

Virat Kohli was tasked with leading India away from this dream and unfortunately it didn’t materialize on the big stage. Since then, Rohit Sharma took over the reins and still hasn’t seemed completely comfortable with the responsibilities given to him. His fitness has been an issue. Moreover, he has also taken time off and the result is that he now looks like a leader who has yet to establish himself.

Indian culture has shown over the years that an Indian prefers a ruler or one leader rather than several leaders.

The constant rotation of captains in the Indian cricket side makes the players feel insecure. The captain has a little extra confidence in certain players. This is because he often believes in one particular person. The team also merges with the captain’s way of thinking. Therefore, changes in management bring with them a different approach, which can lead to confusion and uncertainty.

The chopping and changing of players has already led to disappointment for the Indian team when it counts. India need a leader who can guide the side in all formats of the game. An individual leader who leads from the front and has the personality and aura to do so should be chosen.

Rohit Sharma needs to develop that belief while KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are in the wings. Indian cricket has to take the final call.

One captain for all formats!

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former Indian cricketer. Views expressed are personal)