Divided we fall

So the apparent rumblings within Team India are coming out slowly at a time when they need to be put to bed and move forward. Nothing can be gained by discussing the details in the public glare. The revelations are not new as disputes between the former coach, guru Greg, and an increasing number of senior players was well documented. He has left now and that should be the end of that.

The apparent factions within the team and particularly among the seniors does need to be sorted out and hopefully it is something Ravi Shastri is working on. I have felt the tension between Dravid and Ganguly since Ganguly was unceremoniously dropped and Dravid took on the reigns. These two have a long history, having made their debuts in 1996 together in England and have therefore played together throughout their careers. It is said that Ganguly helped Dravid keep his place in the one day side by making him keep wickets and Dravid in turn was India's best player during Ganguly's successful tenure as Indian captain. Did Dravid then turn his back on Ganguly when he required some support and his future in the team was in doubt?

Whatever the real reasons and cause for tension within the team, it is clear that it is not good for the team as a whole and the focus should be the team. A divided team is not a happy team and in most cases not successful as a result. You only have to look at Australia, yes them again, to see a team that is happy, playing as a team and winning. Sri lanka also looked like a happy and united team that played well as a team, with credit going to their coach and captain.

The rest would do well to follow the example set by these teams as to be beaten by your opponent is one thing but to be beaten by yourself, completely another.