There is so much talked about the Fab FIVE these days regardless of their performances and stats in the past. Ganguly made a wise decision of quitting before someone else wielded the axe on him. Though it was not an exit he would have wished to, it was clearly a better decision at this moment sans the timing he had announced. Many of us think that they(fab five) are past their prime. What do the stats speak. Here we go.
Tendulkar
Scored 10077 in his 196th innings. Scored 11939 in his 246th innings. Between these 50 innings he has scored 1842 runs at an average of 37.24. In his last 10 innings he has scored 157 at an avg of 15.7. His career avg is 54.02. At one point of time it was 58.38 prior to these 50 innings.
Dravid
Scored 8492 in his 167th innings. Scored 10302 in his 218th innings. Between these 50 innings he has scored 1810 runs at an average of 36.2. In his last 10 innings he has scored 251 at an avg of 25.1. His career avg 53.65. At one point of time it was 58.55 prior to these 50 innings.
Laxman
Scored 4303 in his 110th innings. Scored 6042 in his 160th innings. Between these 50 innings he has scored 1739 runs at an average of 34.78. In his last 10 innings he has scored 345 at an avg of 34.5. His career avg is 43.78
SOURAV GANGULY
Scored 4946 in his 131th innings. Scored 6961 in his 160th innings. Between these 50 innings he has scored 2080 runs at an average of 40.3. In his last 10 innings he has scored 269 at an avg of 26.9. His career avg is 41.93
KUMBLE
Has taken 93 wickets in last 50 innnings and just 12 wickets in the last 10 innings.
The stats clearly reveal the dip in form of the FAB FIVE and their ability to score runs or take wickets by their own standards with the exception of Ganguly who was scoring close to his career avg in last 50 innings. Going by the form and stats It is pretty much clear that they have a decision to make of their own. Given the stats, it looks like they will not have the says so to make a decision with the exception of Sachin who decides his own use by date by sheer reputation and iconic status. Some one is going to stamp the expiration date for any of these Unless something great happens in this test series against Australia from the Trio(Sachin, Rahul and VVS since Ganguly is considered to be retired).
The standards were set by them and it is was difficult for them to cut the mustard since 2004.As Tendulkar said once that "One can not keep performing at peak always". True, but not at a below par average equal to that of a tail ender. For example the Former Aussie Captain who was known for his Steely grit was forced into retirement. In fact he scored a series saving 80 in his last match when he still had some years left in him. Those are the standards set by Aussies. They have a planning in place. If India were to build a team for future they should have a proper planning to handle situations like these.
In corporate culture there is a practice of expelling bottom 5% of people in appraisal cycle annually. It is not that the people who were laid off were under performing. In fact they would have met the expectation but they were not performing with the standards set. Every team member needs to have a Goals and Objective set to meet. If they don't their performance needs to be reviewed. Based on which there should be a continuity. There should be some kind of yardstick that needs to applied for one and all regardless of reputation. India will wear a different look the day when it achieve this.
But unfortunately India does not have talent as good as the Fab four at least for the moment. Not everyone can perform as these guys did until their last 50 innings, but there should be a gauge to measure. Having said that we do hope that the Board tweaks the plans and puts a meter in place to measure the performances to construct a all performing indian team.
We don't get to see POLE stars shining all the while. But India was fortunate to have seen four POLE stars shining for almost a decade. When the stars shoot there is going to be a big dent and how do we cement those is ??
Hats off to their records and match winning knocks. I do hope that they sign off in style after having such glorious career.
