Manchester United’s mercurial striker Eric Cantona made a pertinent point not too long back. “It is important that Ferguson’s eventual successor is somebody who knows how the club works, he needs to be very strong mentally and a strong person and Roy Keane is one of those.” As a man who took over from Eric Cantona, as a captain of the United side that won the treble in 1999, Keano’s commitment to the side was never ever in question.He played the role of a Captain and a Central midfielder on his own terms. He might not have joined the Red Devils on his own terms but he certainly left when he had enough of it. Now that makes me wonder whether a Keano is indeed the need of the hour for Indian cricket. Passionate, aggressive and selfless. Three qualities that, I think, make up for a quality side. No one doubts India’s capabilities on the field. They have been statistically highlighted in more ways than one. In fact, almost to the extent of ignoring their dismal record away from home. But there are qualities besides sheer talent that goes into the making of a champion side. The mentality has to change and maybe an early exit from the world cup is a great opportunity.Pundits and former cricketers turned experts have been critical of the Indian team in the past. I have got no problem with that. Constructive criticisms help. Sir Bobby Charlton talks about Man United and so does Eric Cantona. But have the Indian pundits followed what they preach? The recent “hunt for the next Indian coach” is a case in point.A meeting organized by the BCCI in Mumbai offered the post of a manager of the Indian cricket team. There cannot be a bigger honor I thought and so, I did expect some of the legends of Indian cricket to think in a similar fashion. But, while one did not decide to take up the job, the other actually went on record saying, “It did surprise me but having said that if you look at the state of Indian cricket at the moment, I thought it was a good time to put your hand up and asked to be counted.”
Excellent. I thought finally here’s a man who, quite true to his character has accepted a challenge.
A fortnight later we come to hear that Ravi Shastri will not be able to free himself out of the media commitments to become a part of the Indian team. What a pity. While one has been rubbishing foreign coaches in a measured manner via the fourth estate, the other has chosen economics over everything else. So how different is the perceived current Indian legacy from its past? And what is the platform that allows pundits to go on a team bashing mould every time they do badly. There are repeated talks of advertisements that divert players’ interests on the field. And money matters more than anything else, they claim. If money is what is being perceived to distract Indian players of the present on the field, what is it that stops former Indian legends to take the post of the Indian coach?
Guess the biggest problem in India is an unwillingness to accept reality. And when some one points that out, it hurts us a lot more. Roy Keane pointed out Manchester United was living in its past glory and his contract with the club, that he was a part of for over a decade, came to a pre mature end. But a couple of seasons later, United realized the value of Keane’s statements, made the necessary changes and are in hunt for glory. Maybe its time to think of picking up a Keano (or an Indian version of Keano) to be a part of the Indian set up. Maybe that can turn things around.
The BCCI, for my money is taking steps in the right direction. Or, at least the current set up is willing to sit down and sort out the issues. The body cannot be held accountable for former cricketers blasting the set up or not accepting the post of a coach citing other commitments. It’s up to individuals to set up a team. As Keane once said, “Fail to prepare or prepare to fail.”
We know what we want, don’t we?