Modi- A team player or a loner?

 

Cricket and politics have always been inseparable, a significant part of common life. What... Don't you agree? Well, here's why I choose to say this today. When it comes to leading the Indian cricket team and India as a country, there's a lot of responsibility and authority a leader is supposed to look after. And trust me, it isn't everybody's cup of tea.

 

 

India has seen several leaders whether it is on the field or in the rallies. However, a leader I think succeeds when he prioritizes the country over himself. Talking about leaders who miserably failed to make India a better country, whether it is Azhar as Indian captain or Manmohan as PM, shouldn't we feel fortunate enough to have PM Modi as our PM?

 

When Dhoni became the captain of the Indian Cricket team, he was loved by almost everyone for his leadership skills. From batsman to wicket-keeper to a successful captain, he attained many roles to make India proud at also the international level. Under his leadership, he knowingly, unknowingly groomed many, even the current skipper Virat Kohli. Back in the 90s if you remember, Mohammed Azharuddin, a skipper failed to gain a win against weak team Zimbabwe, but India under MS Dhoni witnessed victories against mighty Australia including in World Cup 2007, World Cup 2011, and Champions Trophy 2013 victories. Dhoni's captaincy tactics marked him as one of the efficient captains in the world.

 

 

 

When Azhar as a captain scored a duck and saw his team slide to an abysmal 120-8 in a crucial 1996 World Cup semi-final, failed as captain whereas Dhoni in the immense pressurized World Cup 2011 final at Mumbai stadium, made sure that India will go to back the pavilion after lifting the trophy. He finished the match with six.. he stood up when his team needed him the most. Another example is when he gave the last over to bowler Joginder Singh in the final against Pakistan and the rest remains history.

 

A similar scene mirrored in Indian politics when Narendra Modi came into power. The dynamics of politics completely changed upside down. He came by the responsibility as the Prime Minister. A ray of hope emerged as people started to believe in him as a leader of the country. He started to put forth initiatives that were overlooked in the past by the former leaders, unlike former PM Manmohan Singh who never did decisions by himself and was always a puppet toy for the Congress party.

 

Singh could not bring his own party track on the reform agenda. He himself being an economist, could not handle the economic crisis. He was lost, adrift at a time of global and local economic turmoil. He never spoke a word by himself. And that has been perhaps his biggest failure as a leader. Modi on the other hand is everyone's leader. He leads from the front and takes decisions for the welfare of the people. Unlike Manmohan, Modi never is in the backseat.

 

The economic growth today when PM Modi leads, is comparatively going faster. The data by DPIIT states. True, the Indian economy has been hit by COVID-19 and lockdown but PM never shied away to deal with the situation. He has come up with favorable solutions that will help the economy revitalize, like the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

 

Now, this is how a leader should be. PM Modi has wrested a powerful victory for his party, for the country. He has spoken at countless meetings and rallies and has acquired a global profile. Yet, the man remains an enigma. His supporters regard him as a victory, decisive leader India needs today. His detractors see him as a polarising figure. Is Modi authoritative or authoritarian? Decisive or divisive? A team player or a loner?