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Kya Yeh Hai Right Choice, Baby?

By Payal Anand

He is one of the most prolific batsmen in the world, acknowledged heir to Don Bradman's legacy. The best player in the Indian team, a fact that's unlikely to change over the next few years because after all, players like this aren't born everyday. Now, he's captain of the Indian team for the second time.

Sachin Tendulkar A change of captain was certainly expected, indeed demanded, by cricket lovers who had lost patience with Azhar long before the selectors did. But it was widely expected that the vice-captain, in this case Ajay Jadeja, would be made captain. Which is why, when the announcement of Sachin's appointment was made, many, Sachin included, looked a little nonplussed. Then the reactions started coming thick and fast.

Some say it should have been done long ago. Some say it shouldn't be done at all. But forget the authorities and the know-alls. What does the spectator, that great Indian cricket lover, think about Sachin Tendulkar being captain?

We asked a cross-section of people who love the game probably as much as Sachin himself, to tell us. And found that there were as many opinions as people!

"Sachin has the best cricketing brain in the team, he's also the most motivated and dedicated, so there's really no doubt that he's the best choice for captain", says 20-year-old Sumit, an MBA student.

Amit, a computer engineer and keen cricket follower, is just as categorical. "Sachin is the only choice for captain today, because he is an extremely intelligent cricketer, an aggressive player, and he now has the maturity and experience to lead the team. Also, he plays for the country, not as an individual", he says.

This seems to be the assessment of most people. That Sachin has the talent and experience that is required to lead the team. But there are many who feel that to be a captain, you need much more.

"No one is doubting Sachin Tendulkar's experience or commitment. But these things are not enough to lead a team. You have to motivate everyone, be communicative, things that we haven't ever seen him do. And as far as having an intelligent cricketing mind is concerned, that's not the only requirement. I mean, the coach is also there for that", says 18-year-old collegiate Rajat. His friend Tarun agrees. "Look what happened when he was made captain two years ago. Not only could he not get results from the team, his own performance also suffered under the stress", he says.

And that's an impression that Sachin will have to work hard to erase. His previous stint as captain, from August 1996 to December 1997, was not very successful. In fact, Tendulkar's own performance, too, was lacklustre. For this reason, he was quite unceremoniously removed. And while this may have simply been a bad patch, a lot of people have started believing that he simply can't take the pressure.

But others disagree. "He wasn't given enough time to settle down," says Sumit, "and then the expectations were too high. Every single match that was played, they expected him to captain beautifully, make a century and walk away with the Man of the Match trophy. That's asking too much from one man. After all, there are 11 players in the team, what are the other 10 there for?"

Sachin himself seems to share the view that everyone, from audiences to selectors, was simply too impatient the last time. In an interview to a sports magazine after being made captain recently, Sachin clarified that on his part, he had given his best the last time as well. "I had given more than hundred percent to the country and the team and I tried my best. Sometimes things click and sometimes they don't. And if they don't, I don't think one should be impatient", he said.

In fact, many believe that the first stint as captain will come in very handy this time round. Says Rajesh, 40, "I think that having been captain earlier, Sachin now knows what pitfalls and problems lie in his way, and he's ready for them. In that sense, it's a blessing."

Blessing or not, the fact remains that, when he was vice-captain and therefore ready to take on the mantle of captain, he didn't achieve any great success. And this time, when Ajay Jadeja, the vice-captain, was probably expecting to be made captain, he was sidelined in favour of the little master. The question is, what does Sachin Tendulkar have that Ajay Jadeja doesn't?

Amit is very clear on that. "In many countries abroad, there are separate teams and captains for one-dayers and test matches. We don't have a system like that here. So, it's important to have a captain with talent and experience in both aspects of the game, which Jadeja doesn't have."

While that may satisfy some people, there are others who disagree. "There are some things that are essential for a captain, like talent and experience, which Sachin certainly has more of than anyone else. He is, after all, one of the senior most players in the team. But at the same time, a captain needs to have a certain personality, leadership qualities, that he has yet to display. In that sense, Jadeja would be a better choice, because out on the field, he can really inspire his team", says Vikrant, a 24-year-old photographer, and cricket buff.

Ideally, one would prefer to have a captain with all these qualities. But in a situation like the present one, where that doesn't seem to have happened, which is more important, talent or personality? "Personality," says Vikrant unequivocally. A great player will continue to be a great player whether or not he is captain. But he won't necessarily make a good captain. On the other hand if another player, who may be good but not as brilliant, can inspire the team and lead them well, then he becomes the right choice for the top job."

Sachin loyalists disagree. "I challenge anyone to say that Sachin doesn't have the personality for captaincy. Everyone can't be as outgoing as Jadeja, but then Jadeja is not the benchmark of what a captain should be like. Yes, he always inspires people, but then in his own way, so does Sachin," says Tarun.

This is a debate that can continue forever, but only time will tell whether Sachin is, after all, the right choice. Amit has the last word on that. "He has to be given time, a year or so at least. It's not that now he's been made captain, the team will be transformed overnight. But once there's stability, and he has had time to settle down and take stock, things will definitely change", he says.

Sounds rather like what politicians say when their party is in power, doesn't it?