Tendulkar lashes out at Chappell

New Delhi: The spat between coach Greg Chappell and senior players in the Indian cricket team has taken a dramatic turn.

After media reports which claimed that Chappell was not happy with the World Cup squad and his accusation that some senior players were acting like a mafia, comes another sensational news that Sachin Tendulkar has slammed the coach for questioning his attitude towards the game and the team.

In an article in national daily The Times of India Tendulkar has been quoted as saying that he was shattered and hurt by the coach questioning his attitude.

The Times of India has quoted Tendulkar as saying: "I've given my heart and soul to Indian cricket for 17 years. No coach has ever mentioned, even in passing, that my attitude was not correct. Cricket has been my life. I am shattered beyond words and I feel helpless. I've never felt so bad in my entire career. World Cup was our passion, our collective dream. Tell me, even as the world goes on talking about our defeat at the World Cup, has anyone spared a thought to ask what we are going through?"

For over 17 years, Tendulkar's confrontations with the best bowlers in the world have been the stuff legends are made of.

But with the World Cup debacle, this is one confrontation that the Little Master had so carefully avoided all these years but just couldn't anymore.

A senior bowler has also picked up the cue from Tendulkar and is quoted as saying, "It's quite obvious that Chappell has a guilty mind. That's precisely why he is having a go at anyone and everyone."

"Chappell did not speak to us for 3-4 days during this World Cup. He just doesn’t listen to anybody. How can a coach behave like this? It’s a disgrace," he says.

More senior players are quoted in the article speaking out against Chappell's methods.

One of them is quoted as saying, "He has made life hell for all of us. It's definitely the worst experience of my cricketing career."

Another senior player has voiced his frustration at Chappell's alleged comments that senior players were blocking the way for juniors.

"Tell me, has anyone asked Dinesh Karthik or Sreesanth or Suresh Raina? Who is he to pass a judgement on his own? Now every youngster will look around with suspicion. That will be his contribution to Indian cricket!"

The players also believe that the last two years under Chappell have done more harm than good.

One of them says, "Indian cricket has gone back by at least four years thanks to this gentleman. We were definitely a much better side, almost like one big family till this man came around!"

Friday slugfest

Clearly, the endgame is now upon Indian cricket and the focus has now shifted to BCCI’s special meeting that will take place in Mumbai on Friday and is likely to be an all-out slugfest.

While it appears almost clear as to what Chappell's report will say, manager Sanjay Jagdale's report is expected to be far less scathing.

Jagdale is expected to stay away from the blame game, and holding the whole team for the defeat and not any individual. He is also likely to report that there weren't any external factors responsible for the loss.

The report is also likely to say that the decision to bat first against Bangladesh was taken collectively by the team and that there was no evidence that the seniors were ganging up against any player or captain Rahul Dravid.