I took much flak,
from forum to forum and from weblog to weblog
while Chappell unchallenged was systematically dismantling the Team India.
It was alleged that I was simply getting back at him for removing Ganguly from captaincy. It was too easy an excuse for the Ganguly haters, for Chappell was their messiah, an answer to their prayers; to do the dirty work.
They were overjoyed when he lifted his finger at the Kolkata public.
But like only a truly shameless can, he overstayed his welcome.
Today is my day to exult,
to find stronger voices telling the moron what he should have been told months ago.
‘Nobody will miss Chappell’
25 Jan 2009, 0011 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: Greg Chappell’s hate-hate relationship with India continues, with some prominent former players reacting strongly to the controversial ex- India coach’s tactless statement that he was “not interested in India” and “not interested in Indian cricket”.
Chappell, in a kneejerk reaction to Virender Sehwag’s comments–that the former Aussie captain made players uncomfortable and regularly leaked confidential information to the media–has even cut off his ties with the Rajasthan Cricket Academy, where he had been hired as a consultant.
“If Chappell wants to go it’s fine,” former India coach and allrounder Madan Lal told TOI on Saturday, “Nobody will miss him. Life goes on. He gave us nothing but controversies during his short stint. As a coach, you cannot have an inflated ego and that is where I think Chappell slipped up. A coach cannot have the mentality of a star player. I think what Sehwag has said is 100% true.
“Chappell was a manipulator who failed in man-management skills and also tried to make players change their approach, which is not recommended at this level. Indian cricket is much better under Gary Kirsten and has changed its attitude. Just look at (John) Wright and Kirsten, they have done the job much better,” said Lal.
Former India pacer Javagal Srinath too bristled at Chappell’s choice of words, telling a cricket website: “The reason India lost the (2007) World Cup so badly was that Chappell brutalized the players’ minds. They were not able to play freely. Chappell tried to create a rift and divide the team. Indians are naturally gifted and Sehwag looks a completely different player under Kirsten. This team under Dhoni is united and hungry.”
Sehwag sparked off the fresh round of hostilities by saying, “Chappell betrayed our trust. I wasn’t comfortable with him. He used to share player information with media and selectors.”
Chappell, in his defence, has said: “You can check with Kiran More (the then-chairman of selectors) what information I was sharing with him.” The tumultuous More-Chappell era ended two years ago.
Ganguly kicked you in the teeth in South Africa, Mr Chappell,
today I happily show you my fingers.
Now go and ruin someone else’s team.
greg chappell
©hinaman
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