Greg Chappell Admits Erring on Sachin Tendulkar in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

We can all lead smarter lives if we had the benefit of hindsight in the fore than the after, was proved once more again Greg Chappell broke his silence on how he erred in his positioning of Sachin Tendulkar.

greg chappell sachin tendulkar ap

The former Indian coach left his job in the immediate aftermath of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean when the situation between the players and the coach seemed untenable. And while his falling out with Sourav Ganguly was famously chronicled, what is also known is that several Indian cricketers felt undone by Chappell's assessment of them. And one of them was Sachin Tendulkar.

As the relationship between the coach and players deteriorated to the point of no return, the skeletons began to come out of the closet. One of the allegations against Greg Chappell at the time was that he had questioned Sachin Tendulkar's motivations and commitment to the Indian cricket team.

Four years since parting ways, Chappell now states that while he never questioned Tendulkar's commitment to the sport, he admits that the decision to drop Sachin Tendulkar down the order was not a very wise one. And it was one of the reasons, many felt in hindsight, that undid India at the event.

Chappell suggested that either Sachin Tendulkar or Virender Sehwag relieve themselves of the opening position. While Sehwag refused to so, Tendulkar was made to do so with much reluctance. Chappell believes that may have been the flashpoint in his relationship with Tendulkar.

Although Chappell later did not have much to say about the Indian team, it appears he now wants to show a softer stance. However, the scars of that Greg Chappell tenure continue to surface now and again. Having said that, team India has certainly distanced itself from that whole episode and ugly time as they have blossomed with Gary Kirsten taking over the Indian coach's role.

The difficult part is when India have to go coach hunting again, not shortly thereafter it the speculation about Gary Kirsten not wanting to continue are to be believed.