Heading

Friday, December 21, 2007

Cricket India 2007 - India play on despite the turmoil


The chaotic world of Indian cricket hit a new low in 2007 with reluctant captains, invisible coaches, warring officials and rebel games hogging the spotlight.
The players attempted to stay focussed amid the discord and bedlam, but were unwilling victims in the storm that engulfed the cricket world's most powerful nation that drives the sport's economics.
Team India did well to recover from the humiliating blow of a first round knock-out from the World Cup in March-April where they were stunned by unfancied Bangladesh and eventual finalists Sri Lanka.
India won three consecutive Test series against Bangladesh, England and Pakistan, finished with a 20-15 winning one-day record and claimed the inaugural Twenty20 World title in South Africa.

India won the Twenty20 World Cup after a thrilling final in which arch-rivals Pakistan fell five runs short


Sadly, the year will be remembered more for non-cricketing reasons that grabbed the headlines in the aggressive and competitive Indian media.
Chappell, the former Australian captain and batting great, quit as coach after the World Cup debacle in April, but it took eight months for India's bungling chiefs to find a replacement.
Graham Ford turned down the job, leading contender Dav Whatmore was not even considered and India were forced to make-do with temporary appointees like Chandu Borde and Lalchand Rajput before ex-South African opener Gary Kirsten was appointed.


It's business as usual in Indian cricket. There could be more of the same next year.

No comments: