12.07.17 Ravi Shastri as the Head Coach for the Indian Cricket Team

12.07.17 Ravi Shastri as the Head Coach for the Indian Cricket Team

A ticklish issue has now been resolved. Another possible disaster averted. The BCCI has taken the tacit approval (or was it, a clear prior approval?) from Kohli, the Indian Captain to appoint Ravi Shastri as the Head Coach.

No one can deny the essential need for some constructive cooperation and coordination between the captain of a team and the coach. No one desires to have another Greg Chappel experience in our Cricket, recent shadow duel between Kumble and Kohli behind the screens notwithstanding.

Yet, something doesn’t seem alright.

It is the board who controls the game, has every prerogative to decide on team, coach, and manager selection, the finances, the itinerary, etc. Informal consultations among all stake holders are always useful. Professional management of the game is of utmost necessity. Professional integrity is required in every process from everyone involved.

Still, does the Board need the nod of the captain to appoint a head coach? Why so much dillydallying about the appointment?

The role and objectives of the captain of a team and the role and objectives of a coach are quite different, though there will be a lot of convergence of the objectives. Each one has to discharge his/her duties towards the objectives agreed upon while being selected for the particular role. The Board has every right to demand fulfilment of those expectations agreed upon at the time of appointment from every member of the team and its management.

Now, a serious question has unintentionally crept in. Who is the boss? Is it the Board or the Captain of a team?

This is bad for the game. The Board has set a bad example.

The real issue is: Money. After all, our cricket board is not participating in an Olympic event, where they get only medals and certificates. Cricket is no more the game when players played for the country, and for the passion of the game. They play for the money in it too.

When IPL was first introduced, however much it looked very luring and captivating, the game of cricket had died. Players from different countries have now become thick friends and colleagues, playing for IPL. How would they suddenly shift their allegiance to the national team while playing against another country? They need to have two hats, dropping one and putting on another during different games.

Today, everything is commerce and money. I know I can’t complain.

Now Ravi Shastri has to be extra careful, dealing with Kohli, the captain. He can’t afford to apply sticks when things go wrong and still produce the result expected from him.

But then, who cares, as long as the Board, the player, and commercial advertisers make their money? International players would continue to eagerly look for the auction of players for the next IPL. The money lures, and the money corrupts, and corrupts absolutely.