Octozone: Sandeep Patil’s tenure will be lacklustre

The new chairman of selectors would have an eventful but a not-so-successful stint at the helm.

Sandeep Patil’s taking over may well coincide with the decline of fortunes for Indian cricket.

Patil was born with a significantly strong horoscope with the planets that define power; the Sun and Pluto, in the strongest positions. While exalted Pluto was responsible for his being a part of the historic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, the royal, Sun in its own house, has catapulted him now to the top post in the BCCI.

But Patil has assumed office at a time when Saturn, the tormentor has come into the horizon. Saturn is not in a desirable position in his horoscope and would only pose severe challenges and impediments during his tenure.

Unlike his predecessors Srikkanth and Vengsarkar, Patil’s horoscope doesn’t promise dual success as a player and selector. The successful former Kenya coach would see the Indian team’s performances dwindle during his period.
India would slide down in rankings in the ODIs and T20s. His major successes would be in the Test arena but here too India may prove to be poor tourists. He may not have a World Cup victory to boast of either.

He would see legends retire, a young team struggle and his captain with the Midas touch losing his lustre and the decline would be complete. There is even a possibility of the flamboyant former cricketer stepping down or being sacked post a dismal World Cup 2015.

There is also a strong likelihood of the hard-hitting batsman embroiled in controversies related to selection matters. The middle-order mainstay for Mumbai may come under scrutiny for some bold but debatable decisions that may backfire.
—Lobo is a city-based astrologer