So everyone and his uncle (including yours truly) have proclaimed that MSD is not a test captain and he needs to make way for someone. The question then is who is that Golden child? Here are my thoughts.
I am sure we are not bold enough to have an outsider made the captain purely for his leadership skills. Someone like a Mike Brearley is a dead idea in India; otherwise Anil Kumble could have been a candidate. He is still fit, bowls better than the current spinners, can still take wickets and above all has a studious mind that he uses!
That leaves us to choose a player from the current team. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli are being looked at as future captains, but both have to prove their mettle yet. I doubt if Gambhir will retain his place in the side and Kohli is still very young. Then we have the seniors and from that lot I would rule out Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman since both are close to the end of their careers. Dravid has relinquished the captaincy once and he is not getting younger. VVS is old and his reflexes will force him out of the team soon.
So we are down to Sachin and Sehwag as the two contenders, if we assume that Zaheer Khan is not a captaincy material. Sehwag in my mind is not suited to be a captain. He is careless and therefore cannot set an example for his team to inspire them. I can't imagine him taking the field, like Kumble bowling with a heavily bandaged head to protect his jaw. He also does not look like a person who is patient and can plot something, two qualities that are essential in a test captain. So my vote is against Sehwag.
Sachin, although not many will agree, still deserves a second chance as a skipper. When he captained, he was too young and he expected a lot from his team, I think he has matured now. A look at his record as captain of Mumbai Indians and also the enthusiasm he shows is quite convincing. He still has a couple of years of cricket left in him. Moreover, he is possibly the greatest learner of the game even today. Retiring as the captain of India will be a fitting end to his illustrious career. So my vote is Sachin.
I have ruled out two other possibilities. Selectors may just decide to continue with MSD, which is possible. And the return of Yuvraj Singh. Yuvi is going to take some time before he is fully fit and then he has to make a comeback.
So Sachin it is!!
Comments please.
