Now, players enjoy more power than officials, says Ramchandra Guha

Just six months after quitting the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), cricket historian Ramchandra Guha compared the rift between former India coach Anil Kumble and skipper Virat Kohli

Just six months after quitting the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), cricket historian Ramchandra Guha compared the rift between former India coach Anil Kumble and skipper Virat Kohli to what happened between erstwhile all-rounder Vinoo Mankad and chief selector CK Naydu in 1952. Guha was speaking at an event to celebrate the 84th anniversary of the first Test on Indian soil between the Col CK Nayudu-led Indian team and Douglas Jardine-captained England side held from December 15 to 18, 1933 at Bombay Gymkhana.

Ramchandra Guha (right) with former Test batsman Madhav Apte at the release function of a book on CK Nayudu yesterday. Pic/PTI

"There is a story about a massive dispute between Col Nayudu and Mankad. CK was the chairman of selectors and Mankad was India's great cricketer. India were touring England in 1952 and Mankad had got a contract with Lancashire League. Mankad told the board (BCCI) that if they assure him that he will be on the England tour with the Indian team, he will not sign the contract. CK replied, 'We can't give you any assurance'. India lost the first Test and Mankad played at Lord's," Guha recalled after releasing the book — A Colonel Destined to Lead, written by Aditya Bhushan yesterday.

Interestingly, Mankad did not figure in the first Test against England which India lost at Leeds by seven wickets. However, he made a remarkable comeback to the side scoring 72 in the first innings and 184 in the second essay. He had bagged a five-wicket haul at Lord's in the second Test which India lost by eight wickets. Guha added how Kohli has the privilege to enjoy his leadership. "The relationship between Nayudu and Vinoo Mankad in 1951-52 was akin to Kumble and Kohli. In 1952, the administrators, selectors and managers had the upper hand over the players, abhi ulta hai (now it is opposite)," he said.

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