Ponting's failure

From Kunal Talgeri, India
During their reign as Captain, Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh each brought about a positive change in attitude among their respective cricket teams whilst touring India. Ricky Ponting has undone all that good work over the past year since India beat his team in the 20-20 World Cup semi finals.

Border led a side here in 1986 that tied a Test match in Chennai. The following year, he spearheaded them to a World Cup win. With coach Bob Simpson (a veteran who played a number of Tests against India), Border and his young team showed Indian fans how the Aussies played the game. It was revered and despised in equal measure because the Aussies play the sport hard.

Mark Taylor brought about gentleness in the squad, without making them lose their edge on the cricket field. That was the value of his leadership. He told a mediaperson in 1998 while on tour that, "We (the Aussies) must ensure that we don't feel victimised." Though they lost the series to an Indian team powered by Tendulkar and Kumble, the attitude change was evident. Taylor had taken his team toward all matters of cricketing significance.

From then on, Waugh made an even more conscious attempt, spending time in Kolkata with an NGO, travelling, etc. He still enjoys tremendous respect and warmth in our land. I think, Ricky Ponting has missed a trick or two in terms of adapting to foreign conditions. And the spirit has been infectious - none of his team members seems motivated. And it showed.