Fragility, thy name is Sachin

Frustrated Sachin approached Chappell

These days I am not sure if I can fully rely on the reports that I see on news sites. Right now I am asking myself if I should blindly believe the piece on Tendulkar and Chappell on timeofindia online site or if I should take it as a joke and laugh at it.
The report that I am talking about is on the new book called "Fierce Focus" by Greg Chappell. According to the report, Chappell found Tendulkar surprisingly fragile. "At one point early in my time with the (Indian) team ... he came and talked to me for about two hours," writes Chappell. If that itself is not a definite proof of mental fragility, Chappell offers  more. "He was frustrated with his form and racked with self-doubt. Since he'd come back in Malaysia (in a one-day tournament in 2006), Sachin's mental state had been surprisingly fragile and he came to me for help.” Most cricketers go through lean patches and it is not surprising if they get frustrated with their form during these times. But taking the extreme step of going to Chappell for help is definite sign of mental fragility. I am sure that Chappell being the ever helpful soul that he is, did all he could to mentally shatter Tendulkar to such fine dust that he is not fragile anymore. Now we know why that lean patch of Tendulkar's was unusually long, and unusually lean.
If some feel that Chappell made these accusations on just superficial facts, they are wrong. The keen observer that he is, he even noticed Tendulkar listening to music. If you don’t believe me, here is evidence: "When the team travelled, he would snap on his headphones, not look sideways, and shut it all out.” I am not sure if this observation supports the above conclusion on mental  fragility, but I digress. An observation is an observation and we need to hand it to Chappell for that. If I was in Chappell's place, I would have definitely missed the "not look sideways" part.
The book shows a fine, sensitive side of Chappell too. On one occasion an upset Tendulkar told Chappell  'Greg, you would have more friends in India than I've got'. This touched Chappell so deeply that from that day on, Chappell has strived to ensure that he has no friends in India. With this book, I hope he has finally achieved that.

Comments

  1. JujubaxNovember 8, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Mohan,
    I don't have a clue about the book.
    But, post that event described in your blog (book) and then if one checks the track record of Sachin after that, it is indeed remarkable.
    Cheers
    madhu

    ReplyDelete

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