WHAT IS WRONG WITH CAPTAINCY - SEHWAG GIVES UP CAPTAINCY OF DELHI DAREDEVILS

Hello Cricket fans,

Does batting actually get affected if the star batsman is chosen to be captain?

Ever wondered what makes star batsmen shun captaincy?

Sehwag is the latest example.

A player who once nurtured dreams of leading India gives up the captaincy of the IPL T-20 team of Delhi Daredevils.

Just months before him, another star batsman of the sub continent Mahela Jayawardane, gave up captaincy of Sri Lanka.

A couple of years ago Rahul 'the wall' Dravid gave up India captaincy.

Not to forget how Sachin Tendulkar stepped down as India captain several years ago.

We can also include Kevin Pieterson in the list.

However, in his case the reasons were different.

Does it actually mean that your skills as a batsman decrease when you are made to think of the other facets of the game as well?

All those who gave up captaincy suggest that they did so to put their entire concentration on their batting. But this appears to be just part of the story. In none of the cases was there any external compelling pressure to resign.

So why?

It will be interesting if somebody actually analyzes the phenomenon.

If we look at the history of cricket, many star batsmen have been great captains as well. Saurav Ganguly, the god of the off-side and Azzaruddin, the magician of the leg side are immediate examples of successful captains and star batsmen.

A case worth studying is Mike Brearly who is undoubtedly the most successful England captain.

A successful batsman in the county matches he never excelled as a batsman in test matches, but as a captain he was par excellence - Brearley captained England in 31 Test matches, of which they won eighteen and lost four; while, of nine series, seven were won, one drawn and one lost. In his eleven years as captain of Middlesex they won the County Championship three times and shared it once, against five and one shared in their previous 89 years in the competition. They were twice winners and once losing finalists in the Gillette Cup; once Benson and Hedges Cup finalists; once runners-up and twice third in the John Player League.

The crowning glory of his captaincy was the 1981 series against Australia - He took over of the 1981 England team, one down to Australia, which had all the look of a beaten side, and transforming it, almost incredibly, into the winner of the rubber by three to one.

But his batting was always below par. Throughout his career as captain of England he was deeply - often inhibitingly - concerned about his batting form. Clear-mindedly recognising his own potential, he was idealist enough to appreciate how far he often fell short of it. Had he played under a captain as sympathetic as himself, the problem might have been solved.

Although he often batted freely and fluently in county cricket, when he played for England anxiety drove him constantly into over-care. This frequently cost him his wicket and made him look inadequate to an extent that people would question his place in the winning side that he lead.

So why? Why does batsmanship and captaincy do not jell?
Interesting question, Is it not?

Respond,
Manoj