Oh yea, forgot to mention that I DO NOT agree with Ian Chappell saying that Indian cricket fans would be happy if Tendulkar scored a century and lost the match. I am afarid but you are very worng on this one. But on the Star Culture you are absolutely correct.

As much as I respect Chappelli's insights into cricket, I could not but help notice his huge ignorance on a socio-cultural dimension. He may be right in concluding that India has a "star culture". So what? Must the Indian fan now reform so that their cricket team can "entertain" them better? Yes, that's right Mr. Chappell, you should not forget that cricket is a form of entertainment. Unless it is immoral, unethical, or illegal, you cannot possibly tell an audience which part of the entertainment they must like better. Argulably Australia has a beer culture. Tomorrow Chappelli might start saying that the beer culture in Australia is hurting their test team's performance because the fans are increasingly unable to watch cricket for long periods, and the players are not that motivated any more when playing a test match.

Posted by   on (January 29 2012, 19:30 PM GMT)

What ?? An average Indian fan is happy if Sachin makes a century and India lose!! What do you think Indians are Mr Chappel. Absolutely untrue. We are pretty normal people Mr Chappel :)) Star culture is a problem in cricket administration though. I'd give that to you. But you got a bit carried away on your comment about Indian cricket fan. Ouch that hurt ;)

Posted by   on (January 29 2012, 14:49 PM GMT)

very true comments!!! Indian cricket team, Indian selection commitee, BCCI members, BCCI chairman....needs a serious thinking and serious changes. Hopes are high but we all know nothing will change, very unfortunate...

Absolutely correct Ian Chappell !! See the problem is that these guys know that the Indian selectors don't have the guts to drop them, this is the only reason why they are still in this Indian team today. Do not forget that Dravid and Laxman were picked in the squad because India wanted to win in England and Australia. Now, since India have failed to do that, there is nothing left that they can do for this Indian team. We don't need a Dravid and Laxman to win in the subcontinent, we can do that without them easily, there is enough bating talent (Pujara, Badrinath, Manoj Tiwari, Rohit, Rahane) all waiting for an opportunity. Also Dravid himself is saying " I'm hopeful that some of the young kids will come through" well now tell me how is this even possible with him hogging a spot in the team? Nice JOKE, Dravid!

Posted by   on (January 29 2012, 08:39 AM GMT)

I hate to agree with a Chappell, Ian or Greg, but I totally agree with Ian Chappell on the Star Culture.

I think the view that Ian Chappell has about Indians cricket fans that they are fine with individuals performing and the country losing is incorrect. I do not think the fans would have been happy if Tendulkar would have scored his 100th or even 104th century in Australia and we would have still lost the series 4-0. Please do not make assumptions Ian Chappell. However it is true that the BCCI is blind sighted by all the money they have and they do not feel the need to make the unpopular and difficult decisions to improve Indian cricket. Only tough financial times will put some sense and professionalism in BCCI. They have had it very easy all these years.

Indeed Ian. you nailed it right. Is India listening? wake up fans.

Well, how many retired from the Australian side when they suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat against India in India? Ponting was having more pints than runs in the just concluded series against SA and NZL and why didn't he retire? England have been doing worse against Pakistan in Dubai and how many are asking senior English players to retire? The original spoil sport is the media.