In a latest twist to the saga surrounding the captaincy issue with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Shah rukh Khan has said that no final call has been taken on the topic and the choice of the captain will be decided in South Africa. In a clear bid to douse any further controversy, SRK’s comments may provide a temporary breather to Sourav Ganguly, but it remains to be seen whether the issue dies down a natural death or raises the ugly face again in the land of the Protea. Shah rukh, Buchanan and Ganguly were meeting in the Bollywood actor’s bungalow, Mannat, in Mumbai.
According to those in close quarters with the discussion, John Buchanan’s multi-captain strategy may very end up in a damp squib as it has been said that there may just be only one captain through out the second season of the Indian Premier League.
SRK also expressed that there had been no effort to sideline the former skipper, and that the fans should show some restrain while reacting to this situation. He said, “Sourav is our main man. No idea or decision will be taken without Dada’s consent and agreement. And the whole KKR respects and loves him no end. So, there is no reason to overreact by any of us right now.”
Ganguly has also found support in his former nemesis, and chief selector, Dilip Vengsarkar, who found the strategy to go into the match with four captains as ‘ridiculous’. Vengsarkar was forthright as always in criticizing the thought process and said that it makes a mockery of the game. He said, “Suppose there is one ball to go and six runs to be scored… and then four guys come to advise you. It can happen to Ganguly himself. I want Ganguly to go to Buchanan, whose idea it is, and ask what to do. This is a mockery of the game; with four captains telling the captain what to do.”
My take on issue: Quite clearly, KKR’s start to their quest for glory has not begun in the way they would have wanted it to. In fact, either ways, the atmosphere in the dressing room may not be as conducive for the right kind of results in the tournament; what with the coach and the captain sharing a relationship that can be only marginally better than the Ganguly-Chappell one. And if Ganguly is removed from his position at the helm, it remains to be seen whether the Kolkatan fans take this lying down.
One wonders how much of this is Shah rukh Khan’s doing.