Our system isn’t trained enough to pick threatening vice-captain: Gautam Gambhir.
Vivo IPL 2021: Former Indian cricketer and KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir have recently pointed out on a fresh topic of debate where he elaborates that a few Indian Premier League (IPL) teams have failed to pick the right vice-captain for their team.
According to Gambhir, the governing system in the IPL isn’t mature enough to give equal importance to the vice-captain’s role as much as they give it to the skipper. He further said that the system wants the deputy to be submissive and someone who doesn’t impose a serious threat to the captain’s position in the team.
“I am all for a good leader and his legacy but for me the No. 2 in the ranks is a more important debate. I am not sure we give enough importance or relevance to the vice-captaincy in our cricket,” wrote the former cricketer in his column in the Times of India.
The vice captain’s role hasn’t been extensive which shows his own thought process and style of understanding of the game rather it has been more of carrying the captain’s vision for the team.
“In any good machinery, an organization or a team there is a No.2 who has dumped his ego and dreams in the garbage bin placed at the entrance of the office. From there on, he is busy carrying No. 1’s vision and firmly gazing at the bigger picture for the organization.
Moreover, Gambhir emphasised that a number of IPL teams have unfortunately failed to refine their vice captain’s, which according to him is a bigger barrier than winning an IPL title.
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“Unfortunately in our systems, a vice-captain is picked on the basis of how submissive he is. If he is deemed to be threat to the captain’s position, he is not picked for the role. Some of the current teams in the IPL have missed the opportunity to groom their no.2s. To me that is a bigger hurdle than not winning an IPL trophy.”
A few IPL franchises have struggled midway through the tournament when there is a need for captaincy change. The fallback options are often not reliable and experienced enough to hand over the roles and responsibilities, which is the main reason for midseason failure for most teams.
The southpaw showed a great example of leadership during his term as KKR’s skipper between 2011 and 2017. He took his team to the two IPL titles before saying goodbye to the game of cricket. Moreover, his scanty term as India’s captain has also been phenomenal, where he took the men in blue to six ODI wins in as many matches.
Anil Kumble was a phenomenal vice-captain: Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir found former Indian leggie, Anil Kumble, as an exemplary vice-captain who selflessly worked with the team. Kumble was extremely competitive yet effective for the team’s success.
“In my time I had seen Anil Kumble being an exemplary vice-captain for India. He was always selfless, a giver and yet fiercely competitive.
“He was always ready to carry forward the team culture created by the leadership group of his time. It is a pity that vice-captain Kumble could not lead India for long,” added Gautam Gambhir.
Unfortunately, Kumble, as well, didn’t have his long term as India’s captain. The leg spinner led the Indian team after Rahul Dravid stepped down from captaincy in 2007, however, Kumble announced his retirement after the 2008-09 Border Gavaskar Trophy in India.
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