Fly by night heroics

Experience is undervalued and overrated. In the old model of leadership, you had to be a part of the inner circle or a loyalist to have leadership handed over to you on a silver platter.

But today’s world of start ups and 20- something billionaires has caused us to re-organise our thinking.

After KKR’s recent triumph in the IPL, voices are clamouring for Gambhir to be made captain of the team. One wonders if the same voices would have spoken up if KKR lost the final. For all his luck and ability, MS Dhoni is coming up short when it comes to leadership in tests. It must be noted that even he usurped the captaincy from numerous other contenders and players who considered themselves to be more experienced.

One match, one magical innings or one series triumph doesn’t make a leader. Nor does losing one series or having a bad run.

In all of the rush, one forgets that leadership is a state of mind, a way of being and not a matter of age or experience .

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