A jumbo leap over the Mumbai cricketers’ support Yojana

Anil Kumble’s appointment as Indian cricket team’s head coach is not just an overwhelming recognition of the genial cricketer and his abilities but a refreshing change from extending the dole to Mumbai cricketers in general and Ravi Shastri in particular.

While much is being written all across the media about the credentials of Anil Kumble and how he is the deserving candidate, I shift focus to why Ravi Shastri did not deserve the job.

The cricketer-turned-manager-turned-commentator-turned-Director had a long enough association with Indian cricket and it is simply time to put his clichéd commentary to rest too.

Yes, Mumbai has won 41 of the 82 Ranji Trophy championships. 70 of the 285 Indian Test cricketers have represented Mumbai in the National championships. Mumbai cricketers have served well and have contributed enormously to Indian cricket, but then so too has Indian cricket administration (read as BCCI) served these cricketers for life.

Post their cricket playing days for the country, many a Mumbai cricketer has went on to make huge career (and of course enormous money too) in various capacities of the game - from Cricket coach, to administrator to selector to commentator. They have been endlessly supported in their quest for monetary benefits. Not that they didn't toil in their roles, but then it is quite surprising that Mumbai gets pride of place in selection for any plum post.

Until Jagmohan Dalmiya and subsequently N Srinivasan took over the reins of Indian cricket administration, it was always the Mumbaikars who called the shots, even while the Bindras were at the helm of affairs!

Some Mumbaikars who had a longer than deserving innings in public view through their cricket associations much after they retired from playing were/are Ajit Wadekar, Ashok Mankad, Chandrakant Pandit, Chandu Borde, Dilip Vengsarkar, Lalchand Rajput, Pravin Amre, Sandeep Patil, Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Sunil Gavaskar. The last three have been the prime beneficiaries of the Mumbai cricketers’ eternal support Yojana. 

While at this, the time has come to rethink the commentary contract of the two ‘Kars’ too, the legendary Sunny needs to hang his ties and the irritable Sanjay needs to explore roles in Marathi cinema.

Hope, in the near future, Rahul Dravid joins his state-mate in mentoring the national team to continued glory. Meanwhile Indian Cricket is sure to see some achche din ahead. 

Kudos Anil.

----------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer----------------------------------------------------

I am a Big fan of Mumbai City and its cricketers Dilip Vengsarkar and Sachin Tendulkar, but not the appeasement of the retired players!

Pics courtesy: World Wide Web.