Raising the pitch

‘‘The fight started because Chappell made Ganguly do 200 push-ups. He told the captain that every time he scored less than 20 runs he should do 200 push-ups, run 200 times around the field and wave his T-shirt 200 times,’’ informed Mukul.

‘‘Ganguly could have easily agreed,’’ I said, ‘‘it’s a small sacrifice to remain captain of the team. Surely, Chappell did not suggest that he would double the punishment if he scored less than 10 runs.’’

‘‘No, Chappell was all right with that,’’ disclosed Mukul. ‘‘He said as long as you are around in the crease for at least five minutes you don’t have to do that. But Ganguly claimed the team would be demoralised because they would not like to see their captain open his T-shirt and wave it around, especially when they lose the match.’’

‘‘How cruel this Chappell is,’’ I sighed.

‘‘But Ganguly is also to blame,’’ claimed Mukul, sounding like a neutral umpire. ‘‘Apparently, Chappell dreamt of going for a toss-up. He just couldn’t control himself. Each time Ganguly would go for a toss-up, Chappell would cover his face, tie his hands and legs because he was itching to go for a toss-up like the old times.’’

‘‘Why didn’t he tie himself up as usual in Mutare?’’ I asked, wondering whether a psychiatrist should also be part of the team besides the physiotherapist.

‘‘Actually, Ganguly was practicing at the nets and Chappell just ran to the Zimbabwean captain and said let’s for go for a toss-up,’’ replied Mukul.

‘‘How sad for Ganguly,’’ I said. ‘‘It’s a case of coach wanting to be captain and the captain at his best as a coach. But finally, how was it all resolved?’’

‘‘The BCCI put its collective heads together,’’ explained Mukul. ‘‘They realised that while Ganguly had fired the first salvo, there was need to air Chappell’s point of view also. As a first step, the BCCI leaked Chappell’s e-mail to the media.’’

‘‘How did this help?’’ I asked, surprised.

‘‘That would make the BCCI look good.’’ Mukul pointed out that if Chappell was dropped, foreign coaches would no longer come to the country. And if Ganguly was dropped, it would have an effect on the West Bengal Assembly elections and may even endanger the UPA Government which banks on support from the Left, the Right and even an out-of-form Ganguly.

‘‘Will this truce last?’’ I wondered. ‘‘Will we have a fighting Indian team once again?’’

‘‘Of course,’’ countered Mukul. ‘‘Now, the BCCI is getting ready for its big fight — its own elections. Insiders claim that with mudslinging, allegations, counter-allegations and money power in plenty, BCCI officials are the ones who know what real infighting is all about.’’

‘‘Hopefully, Ganguly and Chappell have learnt a lesson or two about infighting,’’ I remarked.

‘‘Unlikely,’’ retorted Mukul. ‘‘BCCI infightings are for bigger stakes and millions of dollars, not over fake injuries and toss-ups. They fight like grown-ups, not kids.’’