Monday, May 21, 2012
Tendulkar's two tenures as captain of the Indian cricket team were
not very successful. When Tendulkar took over as captain in 1996, it was
with huge hopes and expectations. However, by 1997 the team was
performing poorly. Azharuddin"Nahin jeetega! Chote ki naseeb main jeet nahin hai!",[70][71] was credited with saying which translates into: "He won't win! It's not in the small one's destiny!".
Tendulkar, succeeding Azharuddin as captain for his second term, then
led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were
comprehensively beaten 3–0 by the newly crowned world champions.[72]
Tendulkar, however, won the player of the tournament award as well as
player of the match in one of the games. After another Test series
defeat, this time by a 0–2 margin at home against South Africa,
Tendulkar resigned, and Sourav Ganguly took over as captain in 2000.
Tendulkar remains an integral part of the Indian team's strategic
processes. He is often seen in discussion with the captain, at times
actively involved in building strategies. Former captain Rahul Dravid publicly acknowledged that Tendulkar had been suggesting moves such as the promotion of Irfan Pathan
up the batting order which, although only temporary, had an immediate
effect on the team's fortunes. In 2007, Tendulkar was appointed
vice-captain to captain Rahul Dravid.[73] During the Indian team's 2007 tour of England, Dravid's desire to resign from the captaincy became known. The BCCI President Sharad Pawar[73] However, Tendulkar asked Pawar not to appoint him captain, instead recommending Mahendra Singh Dhoni[73]
Pawar later revealed this conversation, crediting Tendulkar for first
forwarding the name of Dhoni, who since achieved much success as
captain.[73] personally offered the captaincy to Tendulkar. to take over the reins.
