Julius Caesar was stabbed and murdered in front of the whole of Rome; Saurav Ganguly was pushed down from the cricketing cliff in front of the whole of India. Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome was vain, arrogant but got the job done; Saurav Ganguly, Prince of Kolkata was vain, arrogant and got the job done. Caesar’s megalomania did not augur well with the other kings of Europe and Africa; Ganguly’s megalomania did not augur well with other kings of Asia and Australia. Caesar ruled with an iron hand; Ganguly ruled with an iron fist. Caesar took Rome to incomparable heights; Ganguly lead India to more victories than any other. Caesar would not have survived had the Senate elected another leader; Ganguly would not have survived as one of the “boys”. Similarities abound, but the most striking similarity is that, both Caesar and Ganguly were ousted by the same thing which they fuelled in their lust for power, a.k.a politics.
With the writing now on the wall, no amount of effigy burning can bring Dada back. Kiran More’s poor English might very well have been the reason for a certain harshness of his speech, but I think he got the point across very clearly. “I cannot have him in the team”, he said “He cannot bat at number six, Yuvraj Singh who has had an excellent tour, will do it”. With these words one of the most illustrious captains of the Indian cricket team was denied a berth. Ganguly had taken reign of the team when India’s greatest cricketer had failed at the helm. From the doldrums of that time to the euphoria of the World Cup final, Ganguly led the way, with a blistering pace. The same man today, found it difficult to occupy the spot of an extra in the Indian team.
Julius Caesar was old, battle weary and no longer competent to rule over Rome. Saurav Ganguly’s peak is long past gone and cannot be regained. The senate rightfully accused Caesar of incompetence before he was murdered; Ganguly too saw his misgivings haunt him before his forced exit. But both Caesar and Ganguly did NOT deserve their unjust ousters. But just as Caesar’s murder absolved him of his misgivings and immortalized his greatness, Ganguly’s ouster will make him a martyr. Caesar loved Rome and so does Ganguly love Indian cricket. But there is a startling difference in the respective futures of their empires. While Caesar was succeeded by incompetents like Octavian and Anthony, Ganguly is succeeded by a far better alternative, Dravid. Caesar is dead! Long Live Caesar!
2 comments:
I never have been a big fan of Ganguly. He was a demagogue, not a model leader. He was ,in my opinion, indisciplined, tactless and brazen. But he was effective. I doubt anyone else could have inspired India to those dizzy heights reached during the WC2003 and Natwest2002. I understand the selectors "team of the future" policy and unless one is exceptionally talented (e.g. Sachin, Rahul)he has no place in the team being that old. And Ganguly, not as a leader, I think has little to contribute to that purpose, especially with this new Indian team. But he richly deserved a more ceremonious farewell. He should have had the chance to retire on his own terms like Steve Waugh. May be he should have simply quit while he was ahead. It's better than this ignominy.
Correct me if i am wrong but didnt augustus(ceasars newphew) rule rome after Julius.And the reign was a good one too.The other two generals ruled over fragmanted pieces of the empire but did not rule rome,per se'.Thats my recollection but i could be wrong
Post a Comment