Dear Rahul,

It has been a rough second season for you as captain of the Indian cricket team, and things are not looking any better now than they were at the start of the season.

Your batting lineup is short on form and long on insecurity. Your bowling lineup is more Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, with no one knowing who will show up on a particular day.

Your brightest prospect is undergoing a huge crisis of confidence, not knowing if he is in the team for his batting ability or for his bowling.

Your coach has polarized public opinion to such an extent ( aided and abetted in large part by your predecessor) that any reasonable cricketing debate quickly degenerates into a clash of personalities.

Your stalwart players cannot pull their weight, and your junior players do not know what is expected of them.

The Indian public wants blood, and statements like "Criticism does not motivate us" does nothing to soothe the inflamed sentiment back home.

Your ability to lead, for the lack of a better word, stinks!!

You had a superb first season , with your team winning on a whim. There were external distractions galore, but they did not faze you. Your team played like champions, and played with such energy that they made even skeptics believe.

Your captaincy had clarity and decisiveness, and all you touched turned to gold.

Yes, there were basic flaws in the team even then ( inability to play on anything other than a "patta" wicket), but such was the mood within the team and such was the vibe, that these flaws were papered over.

You raised our expectations and we believed.

Given how badly your team is performing right now, maybe you need to step back. Having lost two games on the trot, and with no realistic hope of winning the ODI series in South Africa, maybe you need to take a break.

Take a safari, spend some time on the beach, spend quality time with your family if you like. The remaining two ODIs really don't matter in the larger scheme of things, and you are required for the test series to follow.

Take the time to recharge you batteries, spend the time clearing your mind. Attitude reflects Leadership and Team India does not want to be found wanting on this score.

You need a break. There is just too much on your plate and there are no quick fixes or long term solutions in sight. Instead of trying the retrieve whatever is left of this disastrous ODI season, focus on the task ahead.

India has never won a test match in South Africa. You are blessed with having, for the first time, the bowling attack that could just swing it your way. That must be your prerogative.

In the meantime, let the captain in waiting, Virender Sehwag, lead the charge. If he is the man chosen to lead in your absence or after you leave the game, this is as good an opportunity as any to assess his leadership potential.

There have been numerous complaints from various quarters about the lack of responsibility shouldered by him in the ODI arena. There can be no responsibility greater than captaining India, and let us see if he is up to scratch.

And while you are away, take Greg and Sachin and Anil and Ian with you. Let the youngsters chart their own path outside of your long shadows. Let them play the way they choose to.At worst, they will lose. Big deal!!

But you, the batsmen, and more importantly, you, the captain, are vital for India in the near future.

Take Care and God Bless,

Homer