India

Duncan Fletcher: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“We have got players who have scored 200s and 300s, you know, in their CVs.”

Duncan Fletcher that his Indian side has the players to pull off a miracle in the third Test at Edgbaston.The Indians were routed for 224 on the first day and it’s been a leather chase ever since in the field.

What he really meant:

“Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. Can you count them out?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I wish those 200s and 300s could be added to the Indian score—at the start of each innings. Why do they have to start from zero all over?”

Tim Bresnan: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"It’d help if the India fielders didn’t have their hands in their pockets. It’s not that cold. They need to look interested [in play] and show some desire. If you don’t want to be here, go home."

Tim Bresnan is not amused with the attitude of the Indian cricket team on the field in the third Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The Indians folded for 224 in their outing, the fifth consecutive innings where they have been bowled out for less than 300 runs.

What he really meant:

“We like winning but against competitive sides—not deadbeats.It devalues our efforts.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“If the Indians need extra sweaters, they can pick up some from our dressing room.”

Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar serving two masters?

“No man can serve two masters.Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

That’s what the Good Book states.

An article in Outlook India highlighted the inherent conflict of interest in the job profiles of Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri when they (supposedly) provide unbiased, expert comments on games involving India while at the same time they are contracted directly to the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI).

Ravi Bopara: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Yeah, it’s dead right now in my car.”

Ravi Bopara has his life organized with an IPad—only it’s not charged. Bopara takes Jonathan Trott’s place in the third nPower Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

What he really meant:

“That I’m a mere cricketer does not mean I’m not tech savvy. Sure, it’s charged.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“My car batteries are dead too.”

Sunil Gavaskar: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“It looked like a contest between a professional team and a schoolboys team.”

Sunil Gavaskar is scathing in his criticism of the Indian team’s performance against a superior English side.

What he really meant:

“It’s no wonder warm-up games feature second string players (Northamptonshire).”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Isn’t this remark pithier than Boycott’s ‘India played like Bangladesh’?”

Mahendra Singh Dhoni going the Kapil way?

Kapil Dev Nikhanj. Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Two charismatic skippers with winning ways.

The former led Team India to an epochal triumph in the 1983 World Cup, a victory which led to a radical power shift within the ICC. The Reliance World Cup followed in 1987. The circle was complete. The colonised were now king-makers.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was fortunate to be selected skipper for the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup. He  thrust a young, inexperienced team to the pinnacle in a format ignored by the bigger guns—Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Saurav Ganguly.

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Saurav Ganguly: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Make the most when you get it, once it goes, you won’t get it back, even how much you want it."

Saurav Ganguly has no sympathy for the moaners and groaners in the Indian squad. He feels that the India cap is hard-earned and is not to be worn lightly.

"I’m too fed up hearing this "time to recover" [excuse] – don’t play for India then, you know this is what it is, you have to come back and play a Test series.” said the former captain.

What he really meant:

“Aches and pains come and go. The India cap comes along—rarely.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“The guys in this Indian side can approach me for tips on how to play short-pitched stuff.”

Geoffrey Boycott: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“India looked like Bangladesh in disguise.”

Geoffrey Boycott is scathing in his criticism of the Indian cricket team. “Their ground fielding was atrocious, their bowling was wayward and lacking thought.” says the Yorkshire great.

What he really meant:

“I’m sure Bangladesh would have put up a better fight. England beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in three Tests, and yet the No.1 side are down 0-2 in two. Yeah, I forget, they won’t be No.1 after this series.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Duncan, you can go home now. I’d like to coach this Indian side.”

Rahul Dravid: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“In days of my backyard cricket, I was either a Gavaskar or a Vishwanath.”

Rahul Dravid is justifiably proud of equalling Sunny Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

What he really meant:

“Those were my childhood heroes. Neither kept wickets though. (Or did they?)”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m unsure what to do next: Commentate or select (the Indian squad).”

Ronnie Irani: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Go and play like Pietersen plays.”

Ronnie Irani is convinced that the Indians were not quite aware of their No.1 status and were overawed by the occasion in the first Test at Lords. They were way too defensive and much too passive. The former English cricketer exhorts them to take the bull by the horns and “play like KP does.” He adds: “They are the No 1 cricketing nation and if they don’t attack, England will tear apart their mental state.”

What he really meant:

“For the No.1 side, the Indians were not quite fearless enough.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Flex your six-pack (if you have one) every chance you get.”