‘It hurts when the coach questions our attitude’ - Tendulkar
In a statement that is likely to have a large bearing on the immediate future of Indian cricket, Sachin Tendulkar has revealed that India’s cricketers would be most disappointed with Greg Chappell, the coach, if he questioned their attitude. In a rare public outburst, Tendulkar, not known to air his views on controversial issues, expressed his anguish. " Paani sar se ooncha ho gaya hai (Things have gone a bit too far to keep quiet). I’ve given my heart and my soul for 17 years. No coach had mentioned even in passing that my attitude was not correct," Tendulkar told Times of India. “Cricket has been my life for all these years and will always be.”
His statements come in the wake of reports that many members in the team have rallied together against Chappell and Dravid and want Tendulkar to take up their case to the board. Cricinfo had reported on the crisis in the team one largely owing to the rift between Chappell and the senior players, and Tendulkar’s statements reinforce the players’ stance.
“Tell me, the world has gone on talking about all this [our defeat and exit] but has anybody spared a thought for us?,” asked an emotional Tendulkar. "Did they try to find out what we have been going through?
“I am shattered beyond words and I feel helpless. I’ve never felt so bad in my entire career.” he said. “No matter how many Tests or one-day series you win, nothing else even comes close to a World Cup triumph. The World Cup was our passion, our collective goal, our dream and that has been shattered. And we all are terribly disappointed over it.”
Tendulkar took responsibility for the World Cup debacle but responded to what he perceived as a slight to his commitment. “Again, it’s not that we are defending ourselves. We do realise that we played badly and, as a team, we take full responsibility for that. But what hurt us most is if the coach has questioned our attitude.”
The Indian board’s working committee meets on April 7, following the meeting of the review committee the day before. It is expected that Chappell’s report, due to be submitted to the board before April 6, will be scathing in its criticism of the attitude of the senior players including Sourav Ganguly, Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh. The working committee meeting will be attended by BCCI’s office-bearers and seven former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and S Venkatraghavan.
I don't think anybody should question Tendulkar's commitment....but his inability to perform under adverse circumstances must be questioned.
But it will be not...I can already see my fellow Indians getting all emotional and sissy about him..."Oh...we have hurt him...how sad" . Next thing we know he is appointed Captain.
$hit...how I can try and back Sachin when Chappel has not said anything officilally against him so far, neither his report to BCCI is made public??
..all we heard was media reports from here and there about "senior mafia".
So why he denounced Chappel even befrore BCCI meeting??
Has he fallen prey to Indian media? I hope this is the case.
I am really puzzled......what "attitude" certificate he wants from Chappel? He has nothing to prove as a batsman...all he is needed to do is come out and bat when the team needs?? Did Coach ask anything more than this from him? If he takes it as a Criticism of his "attitude", then definately it's he who has developed this attitude lately.
I don't think anybody should question Tendulkar's commitment....but his inability to perform under adverse circumstances must be questioned.
But it will be not...I can already see my fellow Indians getting all emotional and sissy about him..."Oh...we have hurt him...how sad" . Next thing we know he is appointed Captain.
Ok I think that was for me, :D.
I never said that tendulkar should not be sacked, but having served our cricket team for so long and was the only reason for people to watch cricket in the early and middle 90s, we should allow him to retire off gracefully. I agree, making him a captain would be the most stupid thing to do.
I don't think anybody should question Tendulkar's commitment....but his inability to perform under adverse circumstances must be questioned.
But it will be not...I can already see my fellow Indians getting all emotional and sissy about him..."Oh...we have hurt him...how sad" . Next thing we know he is appointed Captain.
You snatched words from my mouth :) Given his talent Tendu should have won more pressure games for India than he has. He just never delivers when the pressure is on, when the team really needs his runs.
Mumbai: In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN's Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Sachin Tendulkar has denied any rift with coach Greg Chappell saying that the team is united. Rajdeep Sardesai:* Sachin the morning papers quote you as saying that it hurts when the coach questions your attitude. What do you precisely mean?* Sachin Tendulkar: See, I think the language used like 'clash', 'blasts' or 'hits out' has never been my language. I have never used these words and my nature is not to get in to fight with anybody. I have got nothing against anyone. I was merely asked a question to which I replied, "If the coach has said this, then it hurts".
And from that it was blown up to something else. The other part of the story where other players were asked a few questions and the names were not mentioned but everything has been attributed to me. What I have said is very clear in that article. I have got nothing against anyone, I have just answered a question and to that also I have mentioned it. Rajdeep Sardesai:* Have you had a rift with Greg Chappell, the Indian coach? * Sachin Tendulkar: No, I haven't had any rift with anybody. I don't know where these rumours start. I haven't had any rift with anyone. Rajdeep Sardesai:* What about reports of there being a conflict between the seniors and the juniors in the team that the seniors were not allowing junior players to grow? How do you respond to that? * Sachin Tendulkar: I don't think that is correct because the senior players have always encouraged junior players and you can go and ask any of the junior players what kind of relationship they share with me and I am always joking around and fooling around with them. When it comes to cricket we are extremely serious. If I notice something that they are not doing correctly then I always walk up to them and tell them what I feel. And vice versa. I have told them that if you see something wrong with me while I am batting, bowling or fielding you should come and tell me. Before it is too late you should tell me.
The friggin media will distort and sensationalize everything.
Reminds me of the time when during a press conference some media guy asked Sehwag before an ODI series - "Would you try to score a double century in ODIs". Sehwag replied - "I hope so" (or something to that effect).
Next Day Headline : SEHWAG AIMING TO BE THE FIRST TO SCORE DOUBLE CENTURY
^ Not really...consider this....what would you be thinking if you were greg Chappel.
Your relationship with Ganguly is well-known. Now another senior player is reported to be not happy with you.....and the public is on your back for India's performance in the WC...Chappel was left with little choice in these circumstances.
Though I liked the no-nonsense approach of Chappel, I think it is good that he left now...because there is too much acrimony against him and I don't see how he could have carried on in a positive manner in this situation.
