Summarizing the Dhoni, Srinivasan, and Amarnath saga

[The Outsider]

Lots of articles, opinions, voices, facts etc., so I thought of jotting down some facts and my opinions on some of the actions: 1. After the 0-8 drubbing, the selection committee voted to remove Dhoni as captain and this decision was vetoed by Srinivasan. a. From my perspective, Dhoni should have been removed only as test captain. But it's quite possible the selectors wanted the same captain in all formats. b. Although on paper the BCCI president can veto a decision of the selection committee, it undermines the functioning of the committee unless it's a decision in violation with the norms and rules of the BCCI. 2. Srinivasan vetoed the decision of the selection committee. He could have done it for a couple of reasons: a. He felt that Dhoni deserved to continue as ODI captain. In this case he should have asked the committee to consider a split captaincy alternative. b. Given his vested interests in Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni being out of the limelight and possibly out of the team soon would have been a big blow to his franchise. 3. This kind of veto is supposed to be used in exceptional circumstances. Were these circumstances of removing Dhoni as exceptional as: a. The chief selector selecting his good for nothing son in an Emerging Players' squad? b. The continued selection of the likes of Chawla, Harbhajan, and Raina, despite one failure after another and their link with Dhoni's sports management company?

[Brainfade]

Lots of articles, opinions, voices, facts etc., so I thought of jotting down some facts and my opinions on some of the actions: 1. After the 0-8 drubbing, the selection committee voted to remove Dhoni as captain and this decision was vetoed by Srinivasan. a. From my perspective, Dhoni should have been removed only as test captain. But it's quite possible the selectors wanted the same captain in all formats. b. Although on paper the BCCI president can veto a decision of the selection committee, it undermines the functioning of the committee unless it's a decision in violation with the norms and rules of the BCCI. 2. Srinivasan vetoed the decision of the selection committee. He could have done it for a couple of reasons: a. He felt that Dhoni deserved to continue as ODI captain. In this case he should have asked the committee to consider a split captaincy alternative. b. Given his vested interests in Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni being out of the limelight and possibly out of the team soon would have been a big blow to his franchise. 3. This kind of veto is supposed to be used in exceptional circumstances. Were these circumstances of removing Dhoni as exceptional as: a. The chief selector selecting his good for nothing son in an Emerging Players' squad? b. The continued selection of the likes of Chawla, Harbhajan, and Raina, despite one failure after another and their link with Dhoni's sports management company?

Are we assuming Mohinder Amarnath is telling the truth. How do we know he is? Maybe this is a publicity stunt on his part. Maybe he is bitter and disgruntled that he was never given the rein of the selection committee, and has decided to slander Dhoni/Srinivasan. Do you implicitly trust Mohinder? If so, why? I don't, just like I don't trust Dhoni or Srinivasan.

[The Outsider]

Are we assuming Mohinder Amarnath is telling the truth. How do we know he is? Maybe this is a publicity stunt on his part. Maybe he is bitter and disgruntled that he was never given the rein of the selection committee, and has decided to slander Dhoni/Srinivasan. Do you implicitly trust Mohinder? If so, why? I don't, just like I don't trust Dhoni or Srinivasan.

The premise of the post is that Amarnath is telling the truth, if not the entire truth then something relatively close. My reasons for trusting Amarnath: 1. There were rumors around the time of the Australia series that certain selectors wanted to drop Dhoni - nothing on record, but from "sources". 2. Amarnath was sacked as the selector before completing his term. Given the circumstances that Amarnath has little vested interests in picking favorites, whereas Srinivasan and Dhoni do, I give him the benefit of the doubt. Probably Amarnath is not telling the whole truth, but circumstantially it looks like there is a certain degree of truth to his statements, which isn't new by the way. A lot of people were amazed as to how someone can survive a 0-8 result and the conflicts of interest that might be playing a part in it. The only difference is now there is an on the record statement from someone involved in the proceedings.

[jairamesh]

I would like to see Srikkanth back Amarnath's story. Or any of the other selectors during that time. If it's true, then there are some serious integrity issues with BCCI and Indian cricket as a whole.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

I would like to see Srikkanth back Amarnath's story. Or any of the other selectors during that time. If it's true, then there are some serious integrity issues with BCCI and Indian cricket as a whole.

raja venkat has already backed him up i think its SAFE to believe that most selectors wanted dhoni to piss off.

[Brainfade]

The premise of the post is that Amarnath is telling the truth, if not the entire truth then something relatively close. My reasons for trusting Amarnath: 1. There were rumors around the time of the Australia series that certain selectors wanted to drop Dhoni - nothing on record, but from "sources". 2. Amarnath was sacked as the selector before completing his term. Given the circumstances that Amarnath has little vested interests in picking favorites, whereas Srinivasan and Dhoni do, I give him the benefit of the doubt. Probably Amarnath is not telling the whole truth, but circumstantially it looks like there is a certain degree of truth to his statements, which isn't new by the way. A lot of people were amazed as to how someone can survive a 0-8 result and the conflicts of interest that might be playing a part in it. The only difference is now there is an on the record statement from someone involved in the proceedings.

Until this is corroborated by some others involved, I will hold judgment. As for Mohinder having "little vested interest," one never knows. Maybe he is just bitter that he couldn't get his way and make his Delhi-boy Kohli the captain? I don't know. I am just playing devil's advocate here. Regardless, making Kohli the captain for 50-over LOIs would've been the wrong move.

[maniac]

I would like to see Srikkanth back Amarnath's story. Or any of the other selectors during that time. If it's true, then there are some serious integrity issues with BCCI and Indian cricket as a whole.

He won't...Aniruddha plays for CSK and he has his own skeletons to hide

[jairamesh]

raja venkat has already backed him up i think its SAFE to believe that most selectors wanted dhoni to piss off.

Sad stuff. India cricket has been fecked with last 12 months if not last 20 months.

[jairamesh]

selection committee after 0-8: K. Srikkanth Mohinder Amarnath Narendra Hirwani Raja Venkat Surendra Bhave

[Pagalpanti]

Why wait this long though? What stopped him from saying all this right after he was sacked. Maybe what he's said has truth but don't think he's totally clean himself. This attempt merely looks like striking back at Srini & Dhoni than exposing anything. He waited for India to lose comprehensively even at home? And way to come out with it, while team still has a chance to draw the series.

[The Outsider]

Until this is corroborated by some others involved, I will hold judgment. As for Mohinder having "little vested interest," one never knows. Maybe he is just bitter that he couldn't get his way and make his Delhi-boy Kohli the captain? I don't know. I am just playing devil's advocate here. Regardless, making Kohli the captain for 50-over LOIs would've been the wrong move.

Someone above mentioned that it has been corroborated by another selector on the panel - I haven't read the corroborating quotes or articles. I am also not in favor of making Kohli the captain, my personal choice would be Sehwag. However the issue at the heart here is not whether we agree with Dhoni's replacement as envisioned by Amarnath, but about the overriding of the selection committee by the BCCI president with a clear conflict of interest.

[superstar]

The moment he proposed Gambir for captaincy he lost all credibility. End of story. FYI this is what kohli did in the Australian tour. You want him leading the team?? He is still not mature

[Bumper]

Its apparent, isnt't it ? Srini is the cause, Dhoni is the symptom. Both are cancers who must be removed from their current position. Srini and Dhoni are business partners. Srini has invested in Dhoni and wants to see his investment prosper. It is possible that Dhoni is being selfish as well and takes all the advantage he can get. It is also possible that even if Dhoni wants to quit (quite possible, since he talked about quitting tests not too long ago), it is not possible for him to do so, given the obligation he has to Srini. It is true that Dhoni featuring in tests as captain solidifies his brand value that benefits CSK. Whichever way you look at it, Srini has to go first. That moron departing is a pre-requisite to any reform. The Dhoni issue will take care of itself once that happens. The other cancers that are gripping Indian cricket are Tendulkar, Bhajji & Yuvraj. Bhajji & Yuvraj should not don the white shirt again. These two are the epitome of incompetence. That leaves us with Tendulkar. Unfortunately, no one has shown the guts to put this lil man in his place. Even the most critical comments against him have been "he should sit down and talk to selectors". Sit down and talk about what ? This dude was never known to put his team ahead of himself even in his hey days, does anyone seriously think he is going to gracefully retire ? Its never gonna happen, given that Kallis is breathing down his neck. If we want to instill a perform or perish culture that has to start with the Tendulkar decision. If he is dropped other cricketers will get the message as well. Right now, they all operate like a mafia.

[Yoda-esque]

Its apparent, isnt't it ? Srini is the cause, Dhoni is the symptom. Both are cancers who must be removed from their current position. Srini and Dhoni are business partners. Srini has invested in Dhoni and wants to see his investment prosper. It is possible that Dhoni is being selfish as well and takes all the advantage he can get. It is also possible that even if Dhoni wants to quit (quite possible, since he talked about quitting tests not too long ago), it is not possible for him to do so, given the obligation he has to Srini. It is true that Dhoni featuring in tests as captain solidifies his brand value that benefits CSK. Whichever way you look at it, Srini has to go first. That moron departing is a pre-requisite to any reform. The Dhoni issue will take care of itself once that happens. The other cancers that are gripping Indian cricket are Tendulkar, Bhajji & Yuvraj. Bhajji & Yuvraj should not don the white shirt again. These two are the epitome of incompetence. That leaves us with Tendulkar. Unfortunately, no one has shown the guts to put this lil man in his place. Even the most critical comments against him have been "he should sit down and talk to selectors". Sit down and talk about what ? This dude was never known to put his team ahead of himself even in his hey days, does anyone seriously think he is going to gracefully retire ? Its never gonna happen, given that Kallis is breathing down his neck. If we want to instill a perform or perish culture that has to start with the Tendulkar decision. If he is dropped other cricketers will get the message as well. Right now, they all operate like a mafia.

SRT,UV,BHajji,Zak and Viru form a coterie and all have been flops in the recent past. UV,Bhjji,Zak are gone. Now wait for the Chela (Sehwag) to turn on his Guru and we'll have a nice little soap opera.

[Brainfade]

The moment he proposed Gambir for captaincy he lost all credibility. End of story. FYI this is what kohli did in the Australian tour. You want him leading the team?? He is still not mature

To be fair, both Graeme Smith and Ricky Ponting were jerks who have done/did a decent job of leading their teams.

[Brainfade]

Someone above mentioned that it has been corroborated by another selector on the panel - I haven't read the corroborating quotes or articles. I am also not in favor of making Kohli the captain, my personal choice would be Sehwag. However the issue at the heart here is not whether we agree with Dhoni's replacement as envisioned by Amarnath, but about the overriding of the selection committee by the BCCI president with a clear conflict of interest.

Again, whether the BCCI president did the over-ruling or not is still in question for me. Especially considering that Amarnath (and Raja Venkat - also Delhi?) pitching for first Gambhir and then Kohli as captain. Nothing here smells right. But then again, I am a cynic.

[maniac]

Well Amarnath shows that how waiting for the right time,to complain can be effective... I mean People call guys like Bedi and Sarfaraz Nawaz as conspiracy theorists and as jokers but when something comes up relevant to their rants comes up every now and then,and suddenly they become the voice of reason. Not disrespecting Jimmy Paaji here bcoz his feud with selection committees and selectors is legendary but his statements look all too convinient now given how we sucked in this series

[The Outsider]

Again' date=' whether the BCCI president did the over-ruling or not is still in question for me. Especially considering that Amarnath (and Raja Venkat - also Delhi?) pitching for first Gambhir and then Kohli as captain. Nothing here smells right. But then again, I am a cynic.[/quote'] Raja Venkat was an East Zone selector, who played for Bengal and nothing to do with Delhi as far as I know. If 2 out of 5 selectors are giving the same story, and Srikkanth of course will not given how he selected his loser son, it's pretty believable for me.

[Lurker]

The other cancers that are gripping Indian cricket are Tendulkar' date=' Bhajji & Yuvraj. Bhajji & Yuvraj should not don the white shirt again. These two are the epitome of incompetence. That leaves us with Tendulkar. Unfortunately, no one has shown the guts to put this lil man in his place. [b']Even the most critical comments against him have been "he should sit down and talk to selectors". Sit down and talk about what ? This dude was never known to put his team ahead of himself even in his hey days, does anyone seriously think he is going to gracefully retire ? Its never gonna happen, given that Kallis is breathing down his neck.

True that. In my opinion thats one of the good things about this series, weird as it may sound. The demi-god has been cut to size and people have started to look at it the way he should have been looked at years ago :hatsoff:

[Brainfade]

]Raja Venkat was an East Zone selector' date=' who played for Bengal and nothing to do with Delhi as far as I know.[/b'] If 2 out of 5 selectors are giving the same story, and Srikkanth of course will not given how he selected his loser son, it's pretty believable for me.

My bad. Thanks for the clarification. It is getting a bit more believable. But, I'm not there yet :-). I have to get past Jimmy's pitching for the Delhi-boys for captaincy deal first! Also, trying to get rid of Dhoni from the 50-over LOI captaincy is fishy. Tests? Yes. 50-over LOIs? Smelly.