We are at the fag end of 2006 and going by what the year was, team India’s performance has surely been a mixed bag of sorts. Assessing Chappell’s performance would be as good as the team’s performance. All one recollects about this year is that we had more downs than ups.

The past few months have been eventful to say the least for Indian cricket fans and being the coach or captain of team India is no joke as both are constantly under the glare of media spotlights. A new wave of elation and sanguinity has swept across cricket fans in India who were not long ago, smarting from the lackluster performances of their team.

Besides winning the ODI series in Pakistan and Test series in Windies this year there is nothing to write home about.

Under Chappell’s guidance the Indians have certainly taken a few significant steps towards redemption. But the challenges are many and the path to greatness is as protracted as it is intricate. Winning the ODI series in Pakistan and Test series in Windies this year might indeed have been a precursor of things to come but Indian cricket fans would do well to not read too much into it. In truth, the Indians are not even in sight of that elusive corner, let alone turning it.

We all hope Greg is over and done with his experiments with the team and after this we are left with a few ODI’s to be play before the World Cup begins. The selectors have given him a free hand with the assurance that he would get us the world cup. And god forbid if India fail to qualify for the last round it would be curtains for Greg for sure.