When Indian Cricketers Boycotted Coach Madan Lal During 1997 Sri Lanka Tour
Before the era of harmony between Indian cricketers and their coaches, a major storm once shook the team from within, when Indian cricketers boycotted coach Madan Lal. During India’s 1997 tour of Sri Lanka, the then-head coach found himself at the center of a revolt after publicly criticising his own players in a newspaper interview.
The fallout was so severe that players allegedly stopped speaking to their coach for days, creating tension that became one of Indian cricket’s most controversial off-field sagas. The dramatic episode, described in former BCCI manager Ratnakar Shetty’s autobiography On Board—My Years in BCCI, continues to be discussed decades later.
The Explosive Interview That Sparked The Rift
In an interview with The Hindu, Madan Lal offered brutally honest opinions about several active players, including Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Saba Karim, and Anil Kumble. He said Jadeja needed to “decide whether he’s a batsman or bowler,” called Robin Singh “not an all-rounder of international level,” and described Saba Karim as “an average wicketkeeper.”
Even star spinner Anil Kumble wasn’t spared—Madan Lal claimed he was “not happy” with Kumble’s bowling and advised him to focus on “line and length.”
These remarks outraged the dressing room. Ratnakar Shetty confirmed that journalist Vijay Lokapally verified the quotes with Madan Lal before publishing. What followed was a silent rebellion—Indian cricketers boycotted coach Madan Lal, leading to an icy atmosphere within the team.
A Bat Celebration And The End Of A Tenure
During one ODI of the series, a player criticised by Madan Lal scored a century and pointed his bat handle toward the media box—a symbolic message believed to be aimed at the coach. Both Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja scored tons that day, though Shetty’s book doesn’t confirm which of them made the gesture.
Within months, Madan Lal was removed as coach and replaced by Anshuman Gaekwad, ending a turbulent 10-month stint. The incident when Indian cricketers boycotted coach Madan Lal remains a crucial reminder of how communication breakdowns can destroy team morale—something modern Indian cricket has worked hard to avoid.
FAQs
Q1: When did Indian cricketers boycott their coach?
A: Indian cricketers boycotted coach Madan Lal during the 1997 Sri Lanka tour after his controversial remarks.
Q2: Which players were criticised by Madan Lal?
A: Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Saba Karim, and Anil Kumble were among those criticised.
Q3: What happened after the boycott incident?
A: Within months, Madan Lal was replaced by Anshuman Gaekwad as India’s head coach.
Q4: Where was this story revealed?
A: It was detailed in Ratnakar Shetty’s book On Board—My Years in BCCI.
