Intrigue will always be part of teams with ex-skippers, and the present scenario isn’t new to Indian cricket. The end of the 80s saw the grand launch of the team of the 90s. An unsuspecting Mohammad Azharuddin got a tap on the shoulder and an offer to lead a team that had former skippers like Dilip Vengsarkar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

To understand the team mechanics and dressing room atmosphere of the present team, one spoke to several coaches and players who were part of the last significant power shift in Indian cricket — the men who saw closely the new-captain-on-the-block Azhar’s Daddy’s Army. While there was a consensus that Dhoni isn’t as naive as Azhar, at the same they all agreed that it isn’t easy for a captain to keep the flock together and assert himself when those around him include commoners who were kings once.

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi was the cricket manager when Azhar took charge and he recalls those early uncomfortable days for the young captain — something similar to Dhoni’s present predicament. “I made an extra effort to protect him. He was quite naive then. I think Dhoni too needs to be protected. The BCCI has a tendency to let the captain be on his own after appointing him. They tend to throw him at the deep end and let him fend for himself,” says Bedi, as he also suggests a few things that could make Dhoni’s life easier. “There should be a media manager and administrative manager with the team. These might seem minor issues, but they are those that will play a big role in helping Dhoni concentrate on his game and captaincy. Look at the Aussies. They don’t just groom their captains but shield them too.”

... contd.