Chappell unhappy with senior players
02 Apr 2007
Srinivasan Jain
The crisis in the Indian cricket team appears to be far worse than earlier believed. Sources close to coach Greg Chappell have told NDTV that he is particularly angry at the senior players and the selectors.
The source said that the coach believed that the biggest problem was that senior players operate like a mafia. They "hammer" and "abuse" them because they feel threatened by the junior players and don't give them a chance.
The source added that captain Rahul Dravid was "undermined" and that he "was under pressure from the senior players who operate like a "mafia".
Chappell did not mind staying on as coach but not with the same set of players. He, however, believed that the BCCI was trying to push him out and that the Board wanted him to take the blame for the World Cup debacle, sources added.
Chappell not to resign
Meanwhile, Chappell has told NDTV that he will not resign.
In an exclusive interview he said, "I am not resigning from my position. There is no question of resigning, it is a contracted job."
Chappell's comments come just days ahead of the crucial BCCI meeting on the issue.
The coach also said he had completed his report on the Indian team's disastrous performance at the World Cup, which he will submit to the BCCI and then await their decision.
His account is still tucked away in his laptop but if reports are to be believed it is not very complimentary to the team.
In the report the Australian has blamed the divide between the seniors and juniors as one of the main reasons for India's early exit from the World Cup.
Apart from that he has said that the senior players did not feel the need to go along with what the team management wanted. One such example was batting first against bangladesh even though Chappell felt india should have fielded after winning the toss.
The Board, however, has denied all such reports.
"I have neither received any report from Chappell or from Sanjay Jagdale. Both reports will be submitted to the President on the 6th (of April)," said Niranjan Shah, secretary, BCCI.
It certainly won't be a smooth ride for many of the stars who may have to answer some uncomfortable questions.
Apparently Jagdale had hinted about discontentment in the team after the Sri Lanka tour in August last year. But his report gives Dravid a clean chit and that has been backed by some of the board members as well.
"It is my personal view that Rahul Dravid should be retained as Indian captain. I am part of the selection committee but I don't have a vote. I am just convenor of the selection committee," Shah added.
Though a decision on Greg Chappell is unlikely to come immediately after the BCCI meeting, the Australian and his support staff are expected to fly home post the meeting on April 7.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/ndtvcricket/showstory.aspx?id=SPOEN20070 007508&site=ndtv
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