April 12, 1999
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ON THE BALL Aloof at the Helm Skipper Azharuddin has to motivate himself and his teammates if India is to find success as a single unit. By Kapil Dev The first time I heard about Mohammed Azharuddin was when my school friend (former Test player and present selector) Ashok Malhotra told me about this bright young lad who had played for the State Bank of India team. I remember him as a shy, retiring, simple young boy. He was full of affection and respect for everybody. He appeared to be a down-to-earth boy from a middle-class Muslim family. Azhar, I remember, was (and I'm sure still is) a devout Muslim who said his prayers five times a day and never smoked or drank. What was specially endearing was his attachment to his maternal grandparents, especially his grandfather who he always spoke highly of. As he grew more successful I think he met a lot of people who were out to take advantage of his simplicity. Experience is, as we all know, the greatest teacher. Somewhere along the line this simple boy began to harden and change into a worldlywise young man. His whole attitude to life and things around him changed. He was always fond of brand names and loved good watches, cars, clothes -- the works. This weakness, I notice, has not diminished over the years. Many feel that Azhar has been very lucky on many occasions. He has been fortunate to strike good just when he seemed to be on the brink of being edged out. He was almost out of the team in 1987 when he made a comeback and was subsequently declared captain. Prior to that he had a lucky break in Pakistan when he was not supposed to play but came into the team by default when Raman Lamba dropped out with a fractured foot. Luck favours the brave and I think Azhar was brave enough to swing it his way. This was the turning point for him. He never looked back. His fielding is renowned and his brilliant catches have won many a match for India. As his performance stabilised, he was announced captain. I personally feel that the board was looking for a non-controversial figure at the time to captain the side. Azhar was just that. He did pretty well for himself. Yes, there were shades of immaturity, but that shows up in any young captain -- I talk from experience. Initially I felt Azhar seemed to be greatly influenced by others. He seemed to follow most things that others told him. Then later he did a complete turnaround when he appeared to do the exact opposite of what he was advised. In fact let me go as far as to say that his approach seemed almost negative. He didn't seem to want to listen. I personally feel that he may have got a bit tired of being pushed around and finally decided to call the shots his way. Good for him! Except that many mistook it for arrogance which I'm not sure it was. As I said I have seen this simple boy when he was a raw youngster and I find it a little hard to believe that he would take his name and fame so much for granted that he forgets his origins. Change, one hopes, is always for progress. However, one thing I have felt about Azhar, which was not there earlier, is his aloofness. He seems to be away from his teammates rather than being a part of them. One hears a few murmurs of dissatisfaction, so obviously some people are being rubbed the wrong way. This I find very sad because I know his ability to deal with people and wonder why he does not exploit it to the full. This is Azhar's third World Cup as captain. I'm sure he would want a win this time. But my opinion is that there has to be more communication within the side. As captain he is probably the best judge but I do feel that he has an ability to deal with people which he must use. Man management, getting the best out of one's boys, is the key to success. One gets the feeling that there is an air of detachment and the boys are not playing under him as one unit. Has he achieved it all? Is there not enough motivation left in him at this stage? These are questions he must answer himself. Even as a batsman he has to spur himself on. He is used to English conditions, having played county cricket for many years, so he can get runs during the World Cup, provided he is inspired. We all change with age, time and exposure. There is nothing wrong with it as it is a process of living. If we didn't change we would be vegetables. But some things one misses. I see that with Azhar. I see this smartly-clad young man, quite sure of himself, his position and status -- all that he has worked hard for and earned by his grit and determination. Yet, sometimes why do I miss the shy little boy I met many years ago? Former India captain and allrounder
Kapil Dev will be writing a regular column exclusively for |
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