Chappell asked Tendulkar for help in dethroning Rahul Dravid as captain just before the 2007 World Cup and in return the coach promised that “he would help me in taking over the reins of the side”, writes Tendulkar. But instead, the Master Blaster says he asked the Board of Cricket Control of India, the controlling body in the country, not to send Chappell to the World Cup.
"I was surprised to hear the coach not showing the slightest amount of respect for the captain, with cricket’s biggest tournament [World Cup] just months away," reads one of the excerpts from the autobiography released to the media.
The autobiography is slated to be in stores on Thursday, but Tendulkar’s allegations are already stoking a controversy. Chappell, who coached India for two years, is under fire for being dictatorial and a "ringmaster". The charges have reinforced accounts, known for years, of the rancorous relationship that Chappell shared with his players.
Former teammates support claims
Some of Tendulkar’s former teammates have come out to confirm these accusations.
Sourav Ganguly, one of India’s longest serving captains, told PTI that Rahul Dravid was aware of Chappell’s alleged tactics but could not control the Australian coach. “I lost my captaincy in 2005 November-December and World Cup was in early 2007,” Ganguly said. "Rahul became the captain. And in another eight months’ time, he needed another captain (in Sachin)."
Harbhajan Singh, a senior off-spinner, told PTI that Chappell "destroyed Indian cricket to such an extent that it required at least three years to get back on track”. He said, “Some people thought just blindly following Chappell would do them a world of good without realising that Indian cricket was going nowhere.” In addition to him, Harbhajan Singh alleged, Chappell targeted Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan.
VVS Laxman told the media that Chappell sowed divisions in the team, making 2006 one of the toughest periods in Indian cricket history.
Rahul quiet, Chappell denies
Caught unwittingly in the middle of the controversy, Dravid chose to remain mum. He just told ESPNCricinfo: “I have not really read the excerpts of that book. Also, I am not privy to any private conversation between two individuals. I have not heard about this before and I have no idea what happened and I would not want to make any comment.”
Chappell, shaken up by Tendulkar’s allegations, issued a stern denial. In a statement released by Cricket Australia, he said, “Whilst I do not propose to get into a war of words, I can state quite clearly that during my time as Indian coach, I never contemplated Sachin replacing Rahul Dravid as captain. I was therefore very surprised to read the claims made in the book.”
Here is how Twitter reacted to the saga
Amul Topical: Tendulkar lashes out at former coach in his autobiography ! pic.twitter.com/LV9FNlYHef
— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) November 4, 2014
Sachin Tendulkar has become the latest in a long line of people who've made startling revelations long after they've ceased to be relevant.
— Nigel Britto (@NigelBritto) November 4, 2014
Ganguly criticised Greg Chappel before his retirement. Tendulkar criticised Greg Chappel after his retirement. Dravid remains Shakti Shetty.
— Ojas. (@Ojasism) November 4, 2014
In a political climate of the dominance of the right, Sachin Tendulkar has also decided to do the right thing by writing on Greg Chappell
— The Bad Doctor (@doctoratlarge) November 4, 2014
On Greg Chappell Ganguly: Spoke before retirement, silent now Tendulkar: Was silent before retirement, spoke now Dravid: Maintained Dignity
— Overrated Sala (@bhak_sala) November 4, 2014
Everyone looks so sad around Greg Chappell pic.twitter.com/kajjXpL3uo
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 4, 2014
In India, Greg Chappell auto-corrects to Great Chappal.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) November 4, 2014
"Greg Chappell may call Dravid and Sachin and apologize, but he dare not call my number." - Sourav Ganguly
— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) November 4, 2014
Sonia says Greg Chappell is responsible for congress defeat in recent polls
— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) November 4, 2014
Munaf says it was Greg Chappell who forced him to bowl off-spin. Earlier he was bowling slower-medium-pace-leg-spin.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) November 4, 2014