The Hindu : Sport : New coach must be multi-dimensional

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 19, 2005

Sport

Sport

New coach must be multi-dimensional

Circumstances today are far different from what they were when Wright was engaged a few years ago

W.V. RAMAN

The BCCI has taken a few steps in the right direction in its search for a new coach. Firstly, it appointed a committee comprising three former captains to screen the candidates. Secondly, the views of the established members in the Indian team were sought. Thirdly, the tenure for the coach has been decided. The committee has shortlisted the candidates and the decision will be made in a short span of time, that is, if the BCCI does not want to prolong the process any further.

The committee will focus more on the man management skills of all the candidates more than their achievements during their playing days. The success of a foreign coach in the preceding five years would more or less tilt the scale in favour of an outsider. With Sandeep Patil opting out of the race, it leaves Jimmy Amarnath as the lone Indian, `Dessie' Haynes, Moody and Chappell are also in the fray. Out of the four names, Amarnath will be handicapped by the fact that he has not been coaching on a regular basis. In all likelihood it is bound to be a tight finish between Moody and Chappell.

Different circumstances

The circumstances today are far different from what they were when John Wright was engaged a few years ago. Wright took over a young team, which had a few well-established cricketers, and the rest were young and talented, trying to make a mark. The established ones had their sights on improving their credentials further. Furthermore, Sourav Ganguly had taken over just then and he did not have either the burden of having to prove himself or keep looking behind his shoulder. As such Wright had the advantage of taking charge of a bunch, which was willing to be led.

Over the last five seasons, the team has grown into a competitive unit despite its recent poor home series, the captain is under the hammer and almost every member has his own identity. At a time like this, the team needs someone who is capable of handling the personalities in the team and gets them to perform as a single unit. Besides, a coach also has to be multi dimensional individual in order to manage different kinds of persons that make up a team.

Greg Chappell would be my choice because he is a multi faceted individual and his experience as a captain would stand him in good stead in guiding the team under crunch situations. He had to handle larger than life personalities as captain and he did that extremely well. He played the game hard and winning mattered at all costs. The mental toughness is probably one aspect that Team India lacks and Chappell can be the person to set things right. Chappell, a keen student of psychology, will be able to perceive what goes on in the minds of his wards, which makes all the difference.

Recipe for success

Moody reputedly a good coach will be seen as one who can bring in the Australian success recipe, having been a part of the Australian World Cup teams. The 2007 World Cup will be in the scheme of things and Moody would be looked upon as one who can probably prepare Team India to win that edition. The tall and lanky all rounder is reportedly enjoying the backing of some of the Indian players as well. Wright got the final nod in 2000 as he happened to be the players' choice and it remains to be seen if history repeats itself. However, the present committee will not necessarily go by the player's views unless they are convinced themselves.

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