India, when they look back in hindsight would be happy Greg Chappell is no longer part of the team to share his "expertise".

By Rajarshi Gupta

Chappell, one of Australia's finest batsmen led his country in 48 Tests, winning 21 of them and losing 13. He was the quintessential thinking leader, who did not bat an eye-lid when he asked brother Trevor Chappell to bowl underarm in a tightly poised ODI. Indeed, it created a flutter but then he was well within the rules.

When Greg was asked to take over as India's coach, some former Australian players raised their eye-brows. India wondered why. After all, it was then India skipper Sourav Ganguly who wanted Chappell. He was the man who taught Ganguly to deal with the short ball on India's tour Down Under in 2003-04.

However, the ripples started to be felt the moment the Aussie landed in India. He sparked off an immediate uproar, saying iconic Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar was a spent force. It wasn't long before news of his rift with Ganguly started to come out in the open.

By the time India went on tour to Zimbabwe, it was clear either the captain or the coach would have to go. The atmosphere in the dressing room had turned volatile, to put it mildly.

India's most successful skipper was successfully kept out of the team for close to a year. Ganguly did make a comeback in the tour of Pakistan where he and newly appointed skipper Rahul Dravid were seen in an animated discussion, with Greg silently watching.

What was exchanged that day between two of India's greatest names might never be known but the moment heralded a period of untold drama and tension in the team, where the seniors were constantly on their toes, and a legend humiliated. The team went spiraling down hill after admittedly an inspiring start to the Greg era.

A couple of years later, when India crashed out of the World Cup in the West Indies, the tables were turned on him and his contract was not renewed thereafter.

Greg is now part of the Australian team as an assistant to coach Tim Nielsen. The team is in disarray. There were reports of miffs between Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee, while Michael Clarke was also seen in an animated discussion with the captain. Is this all to do with the man, who almost brought Indian cricket to the brink of destruction? You never know. The Aussies were famed and feared for the camaraderie they shared on the field and off it and that has come crashing down.

For all you know, one man sitting in the Indian dressing room, going all guns blazing in his last Test series for India might afford himself a grin, looking at the tatters the Aussies are in at the moment!