The Hindu : Sport : Promote the youngsters: Chappell

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 07, 2007
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Promote the youngsters: Chappell

G. Viswanath

— Photo: AFP

HECTIC DAY: Rahul Dravid leaves the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters after the meeting in Mumbai on Friday. — Photo: AFP

Mumbai: India's outgoing coach Greg Chappell has impressed upon the BCCI to "promote youngsters and concentrate on their fitness and strength, for the team to do well in fielding and running between wickets.''

Significantly, the manager of the Indian team at the World Cup and national selector from Central Zone, Sanjay Jagdale, has called for induction of youngsters to improve the overall standards of the Indian team.

The BCCI issued separate statements detailing the proceedings of both the meetings. There was no mention of any discussion on the approach to be followed by the BCCI for the appointment of a national coach.

But according to reliable sources Rahul Dravid — among a list of demands especially relating to the composition of the support staff — has recommended Ravi Shastri as coach/cricket manager.

It is also understood that the BCCI may go to the extent of appointing specialist coaches for batting, bowling and fielding and also an expert on man management. Shastri who has taken a day off from his duties in Singapore is likely to revert to the BCCI soon after seeing his other contractual obligations.

Pawar thanks Chappell

The BCCI President Sharad Pawar thanked and complimented Chappell for his contribution to the development of Indian cricket and has also offered him a different role with Indian cricket. Mr. Pawar has said that Chappell could be associated with Indian cricket in the implementation of the BCCI's long terms plans.

Former BCCI President Rajsingh Dungarpur said, "there is no clarity on what role Chappell could play, but once he returns from Australia he and the BCCI can discuss about it.'' Chappell who was scheduled to fly to Singapore on Friday night, cancelled his departure owing to illness.

Chappell appeared to be in a jovial mood waving to pressmen and was the first to leave the Cricket Centre after presenting a detailed report of his 22-month experience with the Indian team.

Senior position

Chappell has been offered a senior position at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The Australian told the BCCI that he was partly responsible for the poor performance of the Indian team and has pointed out shortcomings and measures to improve Indian cricket. According to a press release Chappell restricted himself to issues related to Indian cricket and did not make any reference to individual players.

Jagdale told the BCCI that the entire team, particularly the batsmen, failed against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The press release said that Dravid accepted responsibility on behalf of the team for the poor performance and early exit from the World Cup. Dilip Vengsarkar, Chairman of the senior national selection committee has advised the BCCI to develop a squad of 25-30 players for international engagements.

The board at its Working Committee meeting scheduled for Saturday is likely to appoint an administrative manager and a media officer for a two-year term. The committee is also likely to name an official spokesperson of the Board.

Recommendations

After the BCCI office-bearers had a one-and-a-half hour session with Chappell, Jagdale and Rahul Dravid, former captains Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Chandu Borde, S. Venkatraghavan, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and K. Srikkanth have recommended the following to the BCCI:

1. Strengthening of domestic cricket, particularly the participation of international cricketers. The international calendar should be adjusted so that at least 6 to 8 weeks in a year are available for domestic cricket. The BCCI should try their level best to amend the Future Tour Programme (FTP) in the general interest of Indian cricket

2. Improve the quality of wickets for domestic competitions and that the preparation be supervised by the members of the Pitch Committee. The venues of the important matches of the senior tournaments should be allotted by the BCCI instead of the existing home and away rotation policy.

3. The Ranji Trophy Elite Group should be reduced to 10 teams from the existing 15 and the matches be played on round-robin league basis so that it will improve the quality and competitiveness.

4. The structure of junior cricket which is the best in the world should be supported by providing good wickets and umpires.

5. India `A' tours should be undertaken on a regular basis to Australia/New Zealand/South Africa/West Indies. The tour may be scheduled ahead of the senior team's tour to that country.

6. Selectors should be appointed on a full time basis on payment. Eligibility should be decided for appointment of both junior and senior selectors and greater care should be taken in the appointment of selectors for junior selection committee.

7. The Indian team must have a pool of at least 30 cricketers who should be rotated so that a cricketer does not play for more than 80 days of international cricket.

8. The NCA must be supported by starting zonal cricket academies till all the State units set up their indoor state academy.

Endorsements

9. The players must take permission from the BCCI before entering into endorsements and that a copy of the endorsement should be submitted to the BCCI in order to ensure that there is no clause relating to performance-based incentive. Limit the number of endorsements of a player. Not more than 2 to 3 players must endorse a product other than the BCCI sponsor. Kapil Dev made a special request to the BCCI to check the player endorsements.

10. A cricket committee may be constituted from among the captains and the committee should meet once every quarter.

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