NAGPUR, April 3: Sachin Tendulkar's deep anguish at his and other senior players' attitude being questioned by coach Greg Chappell was shared by a number of senior players contacted by TOI .
They felt the coach has mounted a smear campaign to tar their reputation while seeking to absolve himself of all blame for the World Cup debacle - something, they feel, he shouldn't be allowed to get away with.
One of them told TOI that Chappell has been indulging in "low one-upmanship" ever since he became the coach. "He has been smartly using the media right through his tenure and has been allowed to get away with a lot of mudslinging.
All these days we kept quiet because we respect the sanctity of Indian cricket. Besides, we didn't want to stoop to his level," he said.
Yet another senior player, who has kept quiet despite not exactly being Chappell's favourite bowler, finally spoke up to hit out against the coach. "It's quite obvious that Chappell has a guilty mind. That's precisely why he is having a go at anyone and everyone. He's also trying his best to shoot over Rahul's (Dravid) shoulders, saying that the seniors have undermined his authority. But please get this straight, Rahul has the respect of every member in the team," he said.
As for his statements about divisions in the team, this player asked, "Why is it that all these things are surfacing only now after the World Cup debacle? C'mon yaar, all the seniors have been playing together for over 10 years.
We have personally seen many ups and downs, and also the swings in the team's fortunes. There is a special bonding among us, which only we can understand. It's also about our friendship and our culture which an Aussie will never understand."
The seniors also accused the coach of repeatedly leaking the team's gameplans to the media. "The discussions within team meetings are supposed to be confidential. But most of them used to be passed out by him. We were all very upset but could do nothing to stop him," said another player.
"If only Sourav (Ganguly) had heeded the warnings (about not hiring Chappell as coach) of several Australian players, including the highly-respected Steve Waugh, Indian cricket would have been saved of this 'tamasha'," he added with obvious bitterness at the nasty turn that Indian cricket has taken in the aftermath of the World Cup flop.
A respected Indian cricketer choked with emotion as he went on to recall Chappell's 'high-handedness.' "In life, we have our share of good and bad experiences but, to be honest, I have not come across anyone like him before. He has made life hell for all of us. It's definitely the worst experience o
RE:why I an always against Chappel !!
by Indian on Apr 04, 2007 09:31 AM Permalink
he is more than the adjective u have used !!!
In direct contrast to our team India just read this.
Jayawardene hopes Moody won't quit
REUTERS
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ST. JOHN'S, April 3: Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene said on Tuesday he hoped their "brilliant" coach Tom Moody would continue with the team beyond the World Cup.
Moody, 41, has revived Sri Lanka since he was appointed in May 2005 and the 1996 champions are among the leading title contenders in the Caribbean.
However, the former Australian all-rounder is seen as a possible successor to England coach Duncan Fletcher, who has been heavily criticised after last year's 5-0 Ashes series rout in Australia.
Fletcher has a rolling contract with the England Cricket Board (ECB).
Jayawardene said Moody had brought a freshness to the team and pushed seniors such as himself, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan. "That is the decision he has to make," he said when asked about Moody's possible exit.
"We've enjoyed playing under him. The things that he has done is push everyone in the team, from Murali to Sanath to myself to the youngest player in the camp.
"Everyday you try and learn something," he said. "That is something special Tom has brought to this team. Obviously a lot of the guys like the way he handles players as well. He wanted to take us to the World Cup and then see where he wants to be," he said.
"But it is his decision and we will have to acknowledge that. Sri Lanka cricket, whether he stays or not, will not divert from where we are going. If Tom stays back it will be brilliant."
The seven-week World Cup culminates in the Bridgetown, Barbados final on April 28.
