It is unlikely that Greg Chappell, who turns 78 tomorrow, will receive a birthday card in this day and age, when text/WhatsApp/email messages are more geographically and economically convenient. I can hear some from this part of the world saying that the former India coach won’t get any messages, full stop. Chappell’s tenure as India coach was tumultuous. A lot was expected after he took over from John Wright in 2005, but India fell short of the expectations that accompanied his appointment. His changes attracted eyeballs, invited the wrath of some members of the team who later accused him of feeding the media with what was happening within the team.

The entire Chappell story hasn’t been written. An unbiased tome on the controversial period would make for delightful reading wherein cricket fans in India and Australia in particular are provided perspective and both sides of the story. I even have a title for it, Both Sides. Chappell keeps cropping up in the media. A couple of months ago, Sourav Ganguly told Kolkata-based journalist Gautam Bhattacharya that he ignored Chappell’s request to be one of the 14 eventual captains to appeal to the Pakistani authorities for Imran Khan to be treated well in jail. Chappell’s gesture was a noble one all the same. What is also commendable is what he is doing for the homeless in Australia through The Chappell Foundation.