Mahi Lacks Leadership

The announcement of ODI team for triangular series in Australia has made the selection criteria once again debatable. This has also raised an alarm on the leadership capability of Mahi, if the he is the person demanding to drop Ganguly and oppose recalling of Dravid, Laxman and Murali Kartik in ODI team.

All these four players are in good form and their presence would have put psychological pressure on the opponents. It is said that captain Dhoni demanded T-20 team players only. Both the games need different temperament and asking to drop a player who made highest runs - 1240 runs from 32 matches, in 2007 ,reflects lack of confidence in MSD.

As a leader of the team he should look beyond the personal bias and should have gone for the best 15 players. Sourav along with Sachin Tendulkar gave nine century opening wicket stands in the 23 matches they appeared together last year. That pair had an average of more than 51. If still the captain has broken opening pair then probably he is suffering from Silent Attitude of Hatred syndrome.

If this is true then he will not be able to take team very far and his own career will be in problem. Management slogan - Managers rely on control, leaders inspire trust. If just to keep a better control on the team Mahi has dumped seniors then history will dump him as a failed leader, who did not trust performers.

A leader should have four basic qualities of Vision, Confidence, Image, Role Modeling. First two of these decide the length of leadership life. Dhoni has a good image and may be a role model, but if India fails to perform in the coming triangular series then all the hype generated from T-20 victory will become part of history books.

Dhoni needs to cultivate vision and make two different sets of strategies short term and a long term. Right now he has displayed lack of short term strategy. He has not only made his own task difficult but has also spoiled opportunities for Kumble to square the test series. Senior trio – Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman will find it difficult to perform after this shock and the loser will be the country.

Cricket is not athletics where stamina and sprint performance alone is important. It needs other skills to make runs and take wickets. At the 30+ age these may be slower to a boy 10 years younger to them, but they have proved their worthiness. If three former captains show any indiscipline then that can be discussed with them and sorted out. A true leader wins over hearts and build the best team. M S Dhoni has to display his leadership qualities otherwise history is very shrewd

Profile of SOURAV

Full name Sourav Chandidas Ganguly
Born July 8, 1972, Calcutta (now Kolkata), Bengal
Current age 35 years 196 days

Major teams India, ACC Asian XI, Asia XI, Bengal, Glamorgan, Lancashire
Batting style Left-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm medium

Height 5 ft 11 in
Education St Xavier's College
Relations Brother - Snehasish C Ganguly