So the Indian team has a new Captain. Or is that a new old Captain? Sachin Tendulkar takes over again, once again exemplifying the sheer lack of brainpower within the selection board, but did that need to be proved?

But, of course, there was much drama surrounding what should have been a pretty simple process. But then the Board goes the way of the Indian team in the last overs of any close one-day tie.

First, Sachin didn't want to be captain. He told the Board of Control for Cricket in India chief Raj Singh Dungarpur two days before the announcement was made. Shows the bankruptcy of talent that the selectors still had to grovel before him to take over.

Now, why was Sachin so unenthusiastic? Well, he wanted someone else to be the captain during the period leading up to September, someone easily disposable like Ajay Jadeja. After all, there are only three one-day series to be played till then and at least Jadeja's place on the one-day squad is guaranteed.

The other issue involves former skipper Mohammed Azharuddin. Right now, he is out of the team ostensibly because of injury. So the selectors could offer him the face-saving exit. However, by September Azhar will regain full fitness. And then the charade will no longer work. So Sachin wanted to lead the team after Azhar's future in Indian cricket had been well settled.

Why September? Well, the current term of this selection committee ends in September so it could not have appointed a captain beyond that period. And Sachin seriously believes that he needs a couple of years of fixed tenure to make something out of the mess he inherits.

So that was that and he didn't get his way.

But, there may have been enough that he did again from the bargaining with the selection committee. Jaal hears that he had summarily put down eight points that were granted before he said ``yes'' a day after the announcement was made.

First, he wants Azharuddin out. During his previous tenure, Azhar was a sulking, listless presence in the dressing room and an irresponsible and uncooperative one on the field.

Second, he wants Vinod Kambli back. That loyalty for you, since the portly left-hander, given his lack of technique against quality fast bowling, couldn't have made it back on merit.

Third, he wants to have the final say in the selection of the squad. So expect a lot of Mumbaikars to wind their way into the team, deserving or not, like Wasim Jaffer or Amol Muzumdar or Paras Mhambrey or Sairaj Bahutule or even fellow Maharashtrians like Hrishikesh Kanitkar or Rohan Gavaskar.

Fourth, he wants the captain to take the decision to bat or field after the toss.

And, so on…..

There's, of course, the other story to tell. Where was Sachin when the committee took its decision. It took nearly 24 hours for the communication to reach him. Well, he was in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. Where? Well, that's where one of India's myriad godmen, Satya Sai Baba, has his headquarters.

Sachin wanted to visit the Baba for solace ever since his father died. In fact, Sachin devotion for Sai Baba can also be attributed to Sunil Gavaskar, who is among the Baba's firmest followers and whipped up a bevy of international cricketers for an exhibition match in 1997 when a stadium was inaugurated in Puttaparthi.

Well, all we can say is that if you are the Indian captain, you definitely need to pray.