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Journalism of Courage
From the time Vizzy sent Lala Amarnath home mid-way through a tour, Indian cricket has had its share of high-profile personality clashes. The latest has been between Sourav Ganguly and John Wright which, though not reaching the dizzying heights of old 8212; players earned favours from skipper Vizzy for insulting CK Nayudu on the England tour in 1936 8212; proved that no matter how professional, egos still get in the way. The Sunday Express looks at the five most memorable personality clashes
Hazare-Merchant
Pataudi-Borde
Chandu Borde was the lightning-rod for those opposed to Tiger Pataudi8217;s captaincy. Borde8217;s grudge was that as Pataudi8217;s senior he believed he deserved a shot at the captaincy. Before the Australia tour in 1969-70, Pataudi had announced his retirement and it seemed that Borde would take over but a fighting double century from Pataudi in a Duleep match helped him keep the captaincy. The clash spilled over into domestic cricket, Pataudi refusing to play under Borde for the Rest of India team against Bombay. Eventually both were sidelined and Wadekar was picked as the captain of the team for the tour of England and West Indies.
Gavaskar-Kapil Dev
This one, the biggie, has been fought out in every medium, including books written by the two. Started early when Kapil became vice-captain to Gavaskar on the 1982-83 tour to Pakistan. When the results went against India, Kapil was offered the captaincy. At the 1983 World Cup Gavaskar was dropped for two games, Kapil noting how the opener misinterpreted his English. Gavaskar8217;s riposte: team meetings had no strategy discussions. Things hit a low in 1984-85 season when, with Sunny back as skipper, Kapil was dropped for a Test against England. This prompted BCCI boss NKP Salve to call a meeting with Kapil and Gavaskar. India ended the season 8212; Gavaskar8217;s last as captain 8212; with the World Championship of Cricket. They have now made up
Tendulkar-Azhar
Two of India8217;s finest batsmen wove some of the finest partnerships together at the crease 8212; who can forget the 200-plus runs at almost a run a ball between lunch and tea in South Africa? 8212; but were often at odds over the captaincy. Tendulkar felt that Azharuddin did not give 100 percent and was a prima donna when Tendulkar led. Tendulkar opposed his selection for the Australian tour of 1999 and then reluctantly agreed to include him in the team to play South Africa at home. Azharuddin played the last Test at Bangalore and scored a century before the match-fixing allegations surfaced. Tendulkar felt vindicated, Azhar victimised.
Ganguly-Wright
It8217;s an irony that the most successful captain-coach combine ever in Indian cricket shared so volatile a relationship. Ganguly the maverick relied on his instinct, Wright believed in planning and method. Ganguly8217;s brushes with indiscipline pushed Wright to the brink on several occasions. Both had enormous respect for each other and both wanted the team to do well but just failed to work in the same direction. What further skewed the relationship was Ganguly8217;s enormous influence with the BCCI, while Wright felt his hands were tied. Last year in England the Indian team had a meeting without the coach during the ICC Champions Trophy. And when the team gave Wright a farewell after last week8217;s Delhi ODI, Ganguly was nowhere in sight.
