Top 5 Clueless Captains In Cricketing History

A captain leads the team but when he is clueless if leaves ill-effect on the side. If international cricket has seen captains who have bored the brunt to the fore, there have been some, who have been utter failures.

Captaincy in cricket is a big role. Hardly some go on to squander the opportunity. It requires grit, efficiency, leadership and patience to lead a side and bring out positive results for the side. In a situation, where cricket has taken a backseat due to the coronavirus pandemic, let us have a look at captains who were clueless about their role.

Here we take a look at Top 5 Clueless Captains In Cricketing History:

Gulbadin Naib

Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib made a controversial start to his captaincy stint after replacing Afghan Asghar. The decision to name him the captain was severely criticised by senior players and their stars Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. The duo felt Afghan should not have been replaced at first place and let their thoughts known to the world through twitter.

Naib was appointed as captain during a crucial time during the World Cup. He led Afghanistan in 12 matches, out of which, they won two and lost 10, according to espncricinfo. He registered a win per cent of merely 16.66, and was severely criticised.

But it was not the end, after his fallout with the board, Naib threatened to name the players who underperformed during the World Cup 2019.

“My dear Afghans, the main reason why i went public is not because i have personal grudge against player or the board. I am going to reveal every persons identity involved in corruption and other misconducts and betrayals against our Nation cricket and its ppl,” Naib had tweeted.

Following the dismal show by Naib, their premier all-rounder Rashid Khan was named the captain across formats with Asghar Afghan being named his deputy.

Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi, one of the most prolific Pakistan all-rounder, had controversial moments in his career. Besides his decision to reverse his retirements, his captaincy, also received major flak from all quarters. Afridi led Pakistan from 2009 to 2014. Though his win percent with the team was over 50, he was often deemed as a ‘clueless captain’.

His captaincy in the 2016 T20 World Cup and Asia Cup came under radar. He had dropped experienced fast bowler Wahab Riaz to pick Anwar Ali in the side in a match against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. The decision was severely scrutinized. After the marquee tournaments, Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam, deemed him as an absolute clueless captain.

Pakistan played 38 matches under the captaincy of Afridi, registering win in 19, and losing 18, with one matching having no result.

Tim Paine

Tim Paine was as surprised as most in the cricket fraternity on being named the Australia’s 46th Test captain. The decision was taken after Steve Smith was stripped off his captaincy role following his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Australia, were then, left with one Test to go in South Africa.

Paine apologised to cricket fans following Australia’s 322-run third-Test defeat in Cape Town, admitting it was “strange” to find himself making the calls on the game’s final day, Cricket Australia reported.

Even though his start was not good, Australia then went on to lose their first Test series at home against India under the captaincy of Tim Paine. He was caught more often on stump mic blabbering and making comments than taking decisions which favoured his side.

Out of 19 matches as a captain, Paine has led Australia to 10 wins, six losses while three matches had no result.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has garnered many roles for Team India and while most were successful his stint as a captain was a forgettable one. He would also go down as one of the greatest players in cricketing history who did not make a good captain.

Tendulkar was named as the captain at the age of 23 in 1996. He succeeded Mohammad Azharuddin as the captain of the national team. But captaincy, back then, looked like a burden on Tendulkar who was looking to make his mark as the best batsman across formats on the international circuit.

Tendulkar did not have the body language of a captain. He was not authoritative and lacked  leadership or decision making abilities. His first stint as captain came to an end in 1997.

He was once again named captain after 1999 World Cup, and though his second stint started with a triumph over Australia, he was upset after India’s defeat against South Africa at home in 2000. He then stepped down as captain in the middle of the series.

In the period between 1996 to 2000, Tendulkar led India to 73 matches, where India won 23 but lost 43. The win record of just over 35 goes on to tell about his dismal stint.

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle had a tumultuous time as a captain from 2007 to 2010. He looked unprepared to lead the side and though the West Indies won some matches under his captaincy, they failed to produce the desired result.

In the period between 2007 to 2010, Gayle led the West Indies 20 times. In this, his captaincy recorded forgettable numbers. The Caribbean nation won only nine times while registered victory in three matches. They went on to draw eight matches otherwise but the phase looked like a win drought for the side.

In 2010, after a dismal run, Gayle was sacked as the captain of the side and Darren Sammy was given the role.