[harishankar]

As the World Cup draws nearer, one of the main areas of focus for major teams as well as commentators and cricket analysts remains the contentious issue of captaincy. I am not one who believes that "a captain is as good as his team". While this might be true in many cases, I certainly think that a good captain can make a world of a difference to a team's performance by: (a) maximizing the use of limited resources and (b) focussing on strategic aspects of the game, particularly on the field. In the limited variety of the game, maximizing the use of limited resources is very much possible and with the introduction of power-plays, a level of strategic depth has been added to a game that was becoming increasingly (and alarmingly) formulaic. So what are the areas of the game which add this depth to captaincy and will be vital contributors to the success of a team?

Power plays - decision time

The new generation of international captains no longer approach the One-Day game with a defensive mindset. Instead of looking at field restrictions as a limitation, they look at it as an opportunity. Clearly the introduction of "powerplay" has infused much needed vitality to an increasingly predictable limited overs format.

I remember that when powerplays were first introduced, fielding captains tended to think of it as a major hurdle to cross as quickly as possible. Therefore we say powerplays being used up as soon as possible. So that, at the end of 20 overs, fielding captains heaved a sigh of relief and spread their field out. To be sure, there were some captains who wanted to experiment with the concept, but a majority preferred the "safe" approach. But this has quickly changed. Today we see the full benefit of powerplays in the limited overs setup. Captains have started using powerplays more judiciously and in fact, with some success. Instead of blindly trying to get rid of powerplays, captains are now willing to read the situation of the game while enforcing the rule. From a limitation, powerplays have become increasingly tactical and well-thought out. As with any good addition to the game, powerplays have taken some time to work, but they have had a significant impact on captaincy. ODI cricket has become a little less formulaic and this will be a key factor in the World Cup. Captains who use powerplays thoughtfully are more likely to succeed than captains who don't.

Utilizing variety and depth in bowling

It is one thing to have talented bowlers in a side. Almost every side has at least a couple of world-class, wicket-taking bowlers. But nearly every side also has a weak spot in the bowling attack - the fifth bowler. Even sides with particularly strong bowling attacks face this limitation in the ODI game where the need for all-rounders become important in increasing the batting depth.

Captains will need to utilize bowlers wisely in the World Cup. Variety will be an issue not only in the composition of the bowling attack, but also in the way the bowlers are shuffled around in the 50 overs. On flat pitches where 300+ scores might well be a regular feature, damage limitation will be a crucial exercise and captains would be tested to the limit in bringing on the right bowling changes at the right time. No longer can captains rely on the comforting thought that batting sides will go into a more defensive mould in the middle overs. If anything, the middle overs will probably be the key overs of the game. Bowling sides would be hard pressed to take wickets and contain runs in the middle of the innings. The captain who manages to use his key bowlers effectively at these stages will definitely have the advantage. Even in high-scoring games, 20 or 30 runs more or less in the middle of the innings can be a major factor in deciding the outcomes.

Inspirational captaincy vs tactics and strategy

Apart from being a tactically shrewd person, the captain will also have to be an inspirational figure - either through force of personality and individual brilliance like an Imran Khan or a Kapil Dev - or through sheer consistency and gritty performances like a Ricky Ponting or a Steve Waugh. Tactical brilliance will play a role, to be sure, but captains who underperform in their key area (either batting or bowling) will be under tremendous pressure not only because they would be low on confidence personally but also because their own contribution to the team as a player first would be heavily diminished.

This particular World Cup would be extremely interesting because I think that the team with the best contributions from its captain (as a player) would be most likely to succeed in the tournament. With the game becoming more and more physically demanding, captains would need to perform. Captaincy can no longer be an excuse for underperforming players.

Leading by example will continue to remain in fashion in the forseeable future.

Batting resources - spoilt on riches

All the main Test playing nations will be chock-full of talented batsmen for the World Cup. So it will be extremely important to utilize the best batsmen for the major part of the innings, particularly on flat batting tracks. Batting orders can no longer remain static or even slightly fluid. Instead, almost every batsman in the side will have to be prepared to bat at any number according to the situation and the match conditions. Reading the situation of the game will be crucial. While pinch hitters are no longer in fashion these days, there is still a limited role for them provided they are utilized wisely. Attacking batsmen who usually play lower down the order will frequently have to be pushed up the order when teams get off to flying starts. Again, the situation would be entirely different when teams are chasing scores, so captains would have to rely on the "horses for courses" philosophy and think differently.

Whatever be the case, it's extremely important for captains to treat their entire batting line up as a floating order (with the exception of the genuine tail enders of course).

Conclusion

Captaincy will have a decisive role to play in the World Cup. The captains who remain cool-headed under pressure and shoulder maximum responsibility and at the same time know how to get the best out of their players will lead their sides to considerable success. Particularly in major tournaments where the stakes are high, the game not only demands the highest level of skills but also greater levels of mental strength and concentration. There is no doubt in my mind that the captains will have to lead their men in all aspects of the game to achieve ultimate glory. Variety, strategy and improvisation would be the mantra of successful teams.

So from "captains are as good as their teams" it will have to be "the teams are as good as their captains" in my estimation.

[langerrox]

in your opinion who is the best captain atm?

[sohum]

I'm certain Hari will say Rahul Dravid.

[Leicester Fox]

Vughan is easily the best yactician and leader.He just can't lead from the frony with his performances because he's never been the same with the bat

[harishankar]

Originally Posted by langerrox

in your opinion who is the best captain atm?

Hard to say... I think I'll reserve judgement until the World Cup since I'm not seeing too much ODI cricket at present and I prefer to use my own judgement rather than rely on press reports or analysis by others.

[PhilD123]

I would say the best captain is Fleming. Less injury record than Vaughan so is more influential as is in the team more often. Excellent tactician too.

Good article, by the way. Agree with a lot of the points made.

[Leicester Fox]

look at how good Vaughan was up against Fleming in 2004 captaining England. All his reputation that he'd built up destroyed by Michael Vaughans barmy army

[icyman]

Another point I wish to add to the above well-written article is that of 'mental strength'.Every captain must be mentally strong.He should be strong enough to stand the taunts and sledging and other off-ground factors like doping[God forbid them from happenning though].A captain also has to address the media every now and then.Incase of injuries to players or incase of under-performance by the team,the captain is answerable.Mental Strength,I believe is a very important factor.

[PhilD123]

Originally Posted by Leicester Fox

look at how good Vaughan was up against Fleming in 2004 captaining England. All his reputation that he'd built up destroyed by Michael Vaughans barmy army

Sorry only just seen this reply. You've also got to look at how captaincy has affected their personal game. Fleming averages 40 as captain in comparison to his career average of 39, while Vaughan averages 35 as captain in comparision to his career average of 42.

[evertonfan]

Originally Posted by PhilD123

Sorry only just seen this reply. You've also got to look at how captaincy has affected their personal game. Fleming averages 40 as captain in comparison to his career average of 39, while Vaughan averages 35 as captain in comparision to his career average of 42.

Add to that the fact that Vaughan has never really excelled in one-day cricket and Fleming is a more than capable ODI batsman.

[PhilD123]

Originally Posted by evertonfan

Add to that the fact that Vaughan has never really excelled in one-day cricket and Fleming is a more than capable ODI batsman.

Yep correct.

Also, Leicester Fox, you say England destroyed New Zealand in 2004. Now as this is about ODI captaincy. Out of 3 games played between the 2 that summer, one of them was no result, and NZ won the other two.

[SaiSrini]

In my opinion, a captain is also one who leads by aggression, who backs his players to the hilt and who doesnt think before landing a punch on the opposition.

I think its an easy guess as to who my favorite captain would then be - SAURAV GANGULY!

The best Indian captain - Period!

Dravid could have been a better captain (almost on par with Saurav), had he not got a coach like Greg Chappell who doesnt allow Dravid to be himself.

[icyman]

Originally Posted by saisrini80

Dravid could have been a better captain (almost on par with Saurav), had he not got a coach like Greg Chappell who doesnt allow Dravid to be himself.

True !
Dravid as a captain under John Wright was a more flambouyant than he is now.I think WRight gave him more freedom.Here,in this present scenario,he lacks the power to make calls.
If I am not mistaken,Dravid was called the Best Vice-captain during Sourav Ganguly's reign.

[usy]

Ponting by far, best captain.

[IloveGilly]

I don't see how you can put Ponting as the best captain! He was pretty impressive against England with his field placements but most of the time he doesn't do much.

Wouldn't be the type of captain I'd want.