In some ways they are right. The players have to perform because they earn handsome amounts for doing just that. If they want to opt out at any time, they have the liberty to do so. But the ground reality is that no one wants to take that extreme step for fear of losing the place in the side. Therefore, we see injured players who hide their injuries and prevail upon the physiotherapist to give them the clean chit to play.

When such players are in the team, they try their best not to aggravate the situation; they have difficulty in movement with the braces that support the injured limbs, they wince in pain when facing awkward deliveries or bounces, they fail to latch on to catches. We see them fielding at places where they are not normally seen, or are uncomfortable when batting at positions where they are unable to contribute and come up to the expectations. Sincere players should be frank and, face up to challenges, which crop up when games do not progress as per plans or when strategies have to be reworked. Obviously, there have to be periods compressed into the tight schedules of players when they can relax.

In this connection, the previous coach Greg Chappell did think along those lines. He would arrange for additional activities like mountaineering and trekking to inculcate a habit of relaxing in the players so that they remain together and interact. That sort of interaction helps them stay focussed, gel with one another and build the team spirit. Unfortunately, he was misunderstood – and the strange part is that we are today following what he tried to implement. That is why Dhoni and his team are shooting, carting and horse riding in Karachi as they prepare for the tough games ahead.

Not only Dhoni but the Pakistani captain also made his board wild when he went public after the loss to India in the Asia cup game. He mentioned that the players in the team are selected by the selectors and he has no control over it. He has to play with whoever he gets.

The cricket control boards should realise that the game of cricket being what it is, the tension of continued super class performance keeps getting on everybody’s nerves. That compels the captains to speak out of turn. Their utterances should be viewed in that perspective.