Tendulkar has sent significant signals to the BCCI

In fact, if insiders are to be believed, it was a well-planned conspiracy by the then selectors to clip Tendulkar’s wings, “lest he become powerful”. As one selector once confessed in private, “We (four of the five) had decided not to let him take full control even before we first appointed him the captain. We were apprehensive of the selection committee becoming redundant if he were to prove a successful and an assertive captain. We always oppossed his demands and he became very insecure. We wanted full control.”

Shame, as memories of Tendulkar “crying off” a couple of selection committee meetings are still vivid. It must have been very upsetting for Tendulkar as three of the selectors had not even played for India! And, here they were ganging up to cut short Tendulkar’s flight, even suggesting his own batting order.

There’s always been a double side to Tendulkar’s personality — strong and confident on the field and reticent and defensive off it. Unfortunately, the selectors achieved their purpose by ruffling him and Indian cricket suffered.

Given Tendulkar’s stature as a player, his teammates were expecting him to stand up to these selectorial pinpricks. His “meek submission” was a big let down for his teammates, some of whom even secretly expressed their displeasure with Tendulkar’s handling of the whole affair.

On the field he was a bit unlucky as India could have beaten both South Africa and the West Indies in away series — rain forcing a draw against South Africa and a shocking batting display resulting in a loss against the West Indies. Runs, though not exactly drying up, were not coming in as dominant a manner as was his wont. All this while, Mohammed Azharuddin was batting like a millionaire, throwing away his wicket to reckless strokes.

But, the die was cast and Azharuddin made a comeback to the top. India beat Australia on turners at home and Tendulkar batted like never before. This widened the chasm between Tendulkar and captaincy. However, as events unfolded themselves, Azharuddin’s `luck’ started deserting him, the selectors had no choice other than to fall back on Tendulkar to lead India into the millennium.

Tendulkar, it seems, has grown wiser. He, obviously doesn’t want to go through the same humiliating experience and by keeping the Board on tenterhooks for a good 24 hours or so, Tendulkar may have won a small but a very significant battle. He has sent clear signals to the concerned — he wants the whip in his hand. If he has reservations in leading a team which also has Azharuddin in it, he has to be heard. He made it clear in his press briefing in Mumbai that he would not like to be a mere spectator to the running of the game in the country.

Indian cricket will only be richer if Tendulkar and the five selectors learn from these past mistakes and use their collective wisdom for the improvement of the game.