Tendulkar - confident captain, undisputed leader

In the last chapter of my recent book on Indian cricket captains, I have said that Sachin Tendulkar's best could lie ahead. The book was released early this year when Md Azharuddin was still firmly entrenched as India's captain. In analysing Tendulkar's first stint as captain during the period 1996-97, I had said that he was not yet ready for the captaincy and when given a second chance, he could do much better.

The victory at Kanpur gave Tendulkar his first victory in his second stint as captain and his fourth overall, his other three victories having come over Australia at New Delhi in his first match as captain and South Africa (twice) later that season. There is little doubt that this victory will give Tendulkar immense confidence. Already he has many of the qualities that go into the making of a successful captain and all he needed was a result in his favour. Having obtained that, he could go from strength to strength and indeed in future, he could look back on the Green Park triumph as a major turning point in his leadership.

If Tendulkar the batsmen has his critics, Tendulkar the captain also has had his detractors who feel that he is not captaincy material, that he would be better off if left to concentrate on his batting. Tendulkar for one has never lacked confidence in himself. Particularly now when he is older, more mature, more aware of what is going on and when he has been given a greater say in team selection, and matters of strategy. Also, a close relationship between the captain and the coach is very important and he and Kapil Dev, who enjoyed cordial ties as players, have been able to maintain the bond.

Tendulkar was certainly in charge on the field at Kanpur. In the past, he did have this unhappy knack of letting things drift. This is a thing of the past, if one goes by the events at Kanpur. He showed in no uncertain terms that he was in charge, made some skilful bowling changes, kept an attacking field throughout and maintained the pressure on the Kiwis. Make no mistake. Tendulkar is very much in control these days even though other contenders like Ajay Jadeja and Saurav Ganguly have shown results while leading the country. But then that is only in Tendulkar's absence. When he is around, there is little doubt that he is the undisputed monarch of Indian cricket.

Even while savouring a very satisfying win, Tendulkar did not forget to heap praise on his teammates who all contributed to the victory. Obviously pleased with the victory, the 26-year-old Indian captain refrained from making any negative comments. Instead he went out of the way in showering lavish praise on Anil Kumble, who was adjudged man of the match for his haul of ten wickets for 134. ``Anil gives the impression of taking a wicket any time and I think it is a great quality he has. He is a fine strike bowler. The victory was a positive sign for Indian cricket,'' said Tendulkar.

But Tendulkar also pointed out to the contributions made by Javagal Srinath, Sadagopan Ramesh, Devang Gandhi and Rahul Dravid. ``It was not an easy pitch to bat on but the openers made it look easy. We never struggled but it was just that we found it hard to get runs.''

Tendulkar said the team had been expecting the victory. ``It was not a dangerous track but it helped the spinners. It was certainly not a vicious turner even though there were a few odd spots which troubled the batsmen. But it was a more a mental factor. Our aim was to be on our toes and make the victory as convincing as possible,'' added Tendulkar who will now look to wrapping up the three match series with another victory at Ahmedabad. Of course even a draw there will give India the series but somehow one can't see a freshly confident Tendulkar resorting to defensive measures in the final Test.