Tenure is key to Sachin captaincy

DNA Analysis

MUMBAI: Barring a last-minute disagreement over the length of tenure assured to him, Sachin Tendulkar’s comeback as captain of the Indian cricket team should be a formality when the selectors meet in Mumbai tomorrow. 

But there could be a twist of sorts in the tale if he is unwilling to commit himself to playing one-day cricket consistently, in which case, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is likely to be  captain of the one-day team.

Unlike some other international sides, India have always had one man leading in both forms of the game. But Tendulkar had made public during the England tour that his body requires greater recovery time in limited-overs cricket, which has been interpreted to mean that he may not be available for all matches.

That could clear the way for Dhoni, already the captain of the Twenty20 side and also likely vice-captain for Tests.  

It remains to be seen, though, whether this happens right away or after the one-day series next month. The selectors are keen that Tendulkar keeps both jobs for now.

The only niggling issue is the period for which Tendulkar will be assured of the job. He would obviously not like to be ‘on trial’ for one or two series. According to sources, the selectors are willing to guarantee him the assignment till the home series against South Africa next April.

Tendulkar, who captained India between 1996-2000 before relinquishing the job for reasons similar to those expressed by Rahul Dravid, emerged as the consensus candidate for the Test side among the five selectors and senior BCCI officials. There has been no dissenting voice - even if informally - from any of the players, back here or in South Africa for the Twenty20 World Cup.

The BCCI was keen on having an experienced man at the helm at this delicate juncture, and theoretically there were four names to choose from: Saurav Ganguly (India’s most successful captain), VVS Laxman (vice-captain during the tour to South Africa last year and recommended by former India coach Greg Chapell), Anil Kumble (India’s highest wicket-taker) and Tendulkar. Given his stature in the dressing room, his current form, and his past experience as captain, it is learnt, there was unanimity on the last named.

Meanwhile Dravid’s sudden decision to quit the captaincy still has the cricket Indian cricket establishment baffled. “In fact,’’ a BCCI source said, “he was in touch with the selectors from England and had even proposed that Akash Chopra should be readied for the tour of Australia at the end of the year.’’

Chopra, it might be remembered, had shown stout defence and true grit on India’s successful tour Down Under in 2003. Dravid was obviously planning ahead, till he took the precipitate decision.