The Multi-Captain Theory: Can It Work In the IPL?

Lots of drama, lots of action, lots of off-field incidents. Finally,the second edition of the IPL is on its way to South Africa.

Just when everything was getting calm, John Buchanan has once again heated up the table with a most unexpected and unimagined invention—The Multi-Captain theory.

As expected, the theory has experienced both criticism and astonishment so far.

Purists have shaken their collective head with disapproval, whereas many, understanding the need for innovations to keep the game moving forward, have acclaimed it with wide-eyed curiosity.

Kumar Sangakkara has expressed his approval for new theories with the vision that the game would be better for these new ideas. He also doesn't think the idea should be disposed of without practical implementation.

Although so many people have been against this idea (particularly the Kolkatans, and understandably so), I certainly agree with Kumar Sangakkara.

First of all, unlike a football captain, a cricket captain has to undertake loads of pressure and a hell of a lot depends upon his personality, temperament, cricketing ability and tactical skills.

Unless your squad is full of cricketers with the ability of the Shane Warnes, Glenn McGraths, Sachin Tendulkars, Rahul Dravids, Virender Sehwags, VVS Laxmans, Jacques Kallis and such, you can't get away with having a captain with a shortage in any of the four departments mentioned.

When the things are going right for a team, a captain can sometimes give the impression to be just the player with the legal permission to attend the toss, give the speeches and receive the trophies.

It's when the going gets tough for a team that the role of a captain catches the eye of others. His personal form is analysed from all angles, his tactical skill is discussed all over the country (if the captain is of the Indian team, then it is analysed all over the World) and his motivational skills are under constant scrutiny.

Ask Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting about the rigours of being a captain and its likely that, at the end of the conversation, your ideas and opinion of captaincy might be changed altogether.

This theory might allow a captain under constant scrutiny from the media to have some breathing space.

On the other side of the issue, some say the players would feel confused about which captain to turn to under different circumstances.

Personally, I feel that isn't really important. Cricket is a such a profitable business nowadays that cricketers of established cricket nations are fully professional and hence, it is unlikely they would be worried about such minor things.

After all, we have seen young cricketers on the Indian team seeking Sachin Tendulkar's advice when the going is tough, even though Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid or Mohammad Azharuddin was actually the captain.

Tt's not as if the players can only seek the captain for advice or direction.

This theory, in fact, makes cricket an even more team game, as decisions would not be made by a single person. Provided the team chemistry is high, this decision might enhance the precision of every detail on the cricket field.

MS Dhoni has already said that, during the bowling power plays, it is usually Zaheer Khan who is in charge of the bowlers and gives them advice.

Isn't this an example of multi-captain theory already in action, just to a lesser extent?

Had this theory been place in 2004 and 2005, we might never have seen the Ganguly-Chappell saga taking place.

We have come to know Sourav is upset with this theory and understandably so. He has gone through so many obstacles during his India days and surpassed them all. Surely he would not have expected his captaincy to be under threat in an un-national tournament.

Because Sourav had gone through so much trauma regarding his captaincy, this issue is widely discussed.

Would we have seen the same fuss if this theory had been first invented and implemented by say, Delhi Daredevils or Deccan Chargers, both of which don't have remarkable leaders?

My sympathy is with Sourav & the Kolkatans, who would understandably hate to see their favourite son and a powerful, strong leader, undergo such treatment.

But this theory is so new, so unimagined and so remarkable, that I can't wait to see it in action.

Maybe the World T20 in England 2009 is in for a big surprise.