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India's new cricket coach Greg Chappell is on the job
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INDIA SEASON Chappell feels `Bangalore is a less intense environment for the guys' photo: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.
It's been a busy week for Greg Chappell ever since he sauntered out through the VVIP Gate at Bangalore Airport. A wave, a smile, a few words and soon the shutters rolled up, and Chappell and his wife Judi were off to the hotel to get some rest after the long flight from Australia.
"I will gently start my work," were his initial words but his schedule has been anything but gentle.
The daily workload has perhaps left his diary dog-eared. Meetings at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) with the support staff — physio John Gloster and trainer Gregory King followed by interactions with former cricketers, board officials and the media, all just a small part of a tight schedule which could give a tin of sardines an inferiority complex.
Chappell and wife Judi have been preparing in their own way to get used to the beguiling ways of India. They watched Monsoon Wedding back home and the former Australian captain has also read Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy though he did concede: "While reading it, I never knew I will be coming here. But to read the whole wedding theme and the traditions felt incredible."
The man was a mix of warmth and intellect when MetroPlus caught up with him. Excerpts from the interview.
How did you prepare to move in to India?
I have been to India before but to live here is something that I haven't contemplated. Obviously my wife too had to be supportive otherwise it would have been difficult but she is more excited than I am. We have approached it like an exciting adventure.
What are your favourite India moments?
I didn't play here for one thing, but I have watched quite a lot of Indian cricket and yes there are many moments. The Independence Cup at Bangladesh in 1997 is one such moment and in the final, you just knew that the battle between Sachin and Saqlain would decide the game. Sachin belted Saqlain and India won that game. I remember his two innings in Sharjah against Australia and I remember talking to Michael Kasprowicz who went for around 70 to 80 runs.
Kasprowicz asked me, "Do you think I should bowl a bouncer?" And I told him, "Yes, but make sure you bowl a good one." In the final, Michael bowled a very good bouncer and Sachin hit it about twenty rows back in front of square leg. V.V.S. Laxman's innings in partnership with Rahul Dravid at Kolkata was fantastic. Similiarly Rahul and Laxman at Adelaide was another.
Your predecessor John Wright used to run those extra laps besides strumming the guitar, how do you plan to unwind?
I saw a piano in the hotel foyer and thought I wish I could play it. I do yoga and I have enjoyed the swimming pool here. I also do some meditation.
I have a very active mind and I don't find it easy to shut it down. This is a demanding job and I need to find ways to unwind. Anyway I enjoy the company of friends but getting away from cricket though in India is impossible. Golf is another outlet for me. I also read but that is more for information than relaxation. I am now reading Sun Tzu's The Art of War; I have read it before but now it means much more than it did earlier.
K. C. VIJAYA KUMAR
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