The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Vivek blames Jaipur debacle on players' mindset

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Vivek blames Jaipur debacle on players' mindset

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: Vivek Jaisimha puts the blame for the Jaipur debacle on “the same set of players who were there in the last season's Ranji squad, very unwilling to change or adapt and don't even have the pride of representing the State”.

In a very critical letter addressed to the president of Hyderabad Cricket Association, Arshad Ayub, Vivek, the former batsman who resigned as the batting coach of Hyderabad Ranji team in the wake of the team's disastrous showing against Rajasthan, confessed that the Jaipur performance had been a disaster and the batting dismal.

“All efforts and counselling running up to the match have been done with utmost sincerity and passion. I have had one-on-ones with all the batsmen here. The mindset and perspective is negative and indifferent. It would have been a pleasure to work with and see players like Akash Bhandari, Vihari, Benjamin Thomas, V. Sandeep to name a few in this squad,” Vivek argues pointing out that he guided a young team to a title-triumph in the Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup this season.

“These youngsters have brought with them the much required fresh perspective,” he added.

Inexplicable

“I truly believed I could make a difference. This performance has left me bemused and is quite inexplicable. While I cannot absolve myself of being part of this debacle, the onus must also be on the senior players in the side. I feel the time has come for Hyderabad to get real and think out of the box and change the dynamics that dictate our selection process so we can change the trend to a more positive one,” Vivek commented.

“Therefore, I resign as batting coach with immediate effect on purely moral grounds.”

“I feel someone must make a start at taking the right call, and being accountable, whether it makes a difference or not. My services in the batting department as counsel and anything technical is always available any time for Hyderabad if required,” Vivek observed.

Significantly, Vivek, in his letter to the HCA chief mentioned that he would submit a detailed, critical report on the Rajasthan disaster.

Decision on coaches

Meanwhile, Arshad Ayub informed that the executive committee meeting has been convened on November 6 where the panel will decide on the fate of the coaches — chief coach Venkatapathi Raju and Vivek Jaisimha.

It may be recalled here that the two have resigned on moral grounds.

“It is unfortunate that those who have not played any grade of cricket are making expert comments on Hyderabad's performance. Let us wait and get the complete report and then pass a judgement,” Arshad pleaded.

“We don't want to react officially to the resignations as yet. Any decision will be a collective on by the Executive Committee,” he concluded.

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