The Hindu : Sport : Right replacement for Wright needed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

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Sport

Right replacement for Wright needed

After losing to Pakistan, there will be a call for chopping and changing

SOURAV GANGULY

I don't have to say that the entire country is disappointed with our performance in the ODI series. All credit to Pakistan for winning the series 4-2 after being down 0-2. In winning the last four games in a row, the Pakistan players showed their hunger and determination to succeed.

The players had to travel a lot, endure the heat and humidity, but the fact that they still managed to win the series showed that they never lost their focus. There is always a big hue and cry when we play Pakistan and now that we have lost, it will understandably get louder.

It's time for us to rethink our approach in ODI cricket, especially when we are playing at home. If you look at our ODI record over the last two or three years, you will see that we have won more often abroad than at home. The only team that has consistently done well both at home and away is Australia.

After losing to Pakistan, there will be a call for chopping and changing from various quarters. I don't think that is a solution. It is the same Pakistan team that we had beaten in their own backyard last year. This time they beat us without arguably their best bowler, Shoaib Akhtar and Sami, who missed the last two games.

The most important decision at this point is to appoint a new coach in place of John Wright. John has had a good, long stint with us, but his tenure has ended. It's time to take a right decision in this regard. Whoever gets the job should be a strong personality, with lots of courage and experience to be able to implement right plans and programmes in the side and see to it that those are followed by one and all.

One must remember that the Indian team has come a long way in the past five years and players too have grown in stature. Sometimes it can get difficult for the coach. I emphasise the need to decide quickly because a number of teams in the world are on the look out for coaches and finding the right man will not be easy.

Fresh look needed

We must also take a fresh look at the pitches on which we play ODIs in India. Our performance in ODIs abroad is comparatively better because our pace bowlers have been able to pick up wickets regularly. Take the 2003 World Cup for example — barring Australia, we were able to bowl out every team. ODI surfaces in India need not be lifeless. They should have something for the pacers early on.

That will also bring about a change in our approach while batting. A changed mindset can work wonders not only for those at the top of the order, but also those batting lower. For, they will find it harder to score runs once the top of the surface wears off. This was one of the reasons why the toss became so important in this series.

Lest this triggers off a pitch controversy, let me put it on record that the wickets for this series were prepared in consultation with the team management. Perhaps, we need to give different instructions in future.

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