Recent media reports suggest that the BCCI was once again "wowed" by Greg Chappel's hour-long power point presentation during the meeting "suggesting measures to improve Indian cricket". I remember when the 3 candidates (Chappel, Tom Moody, and Mohinder Amarnath) were shortlisted for the post of Indian cricket coach about 2 years ago, each presented their case to the board. Even then, Greg Chappel had impressed the Board with his great powerpoint. The BCCI Board constituted a different "bunch of jokers" then ... :-) that's what Amarnath had called the BCCI when he was dropped from the team in the '80's... did he really expect to get the job?
Everyone was so impressed with Greg's powerpoint that he got the job! I wonder what he puts in those powerpoints. Perhaps some custom animations with fancy slide transitions?!!
I don't doubt Greg's great cricketing brain, etc. but from the very beginning he always occurred to be someone who would be difficult to approach... like the extremely learned school principal who you admire, but cannot really go and talk to. It did not help that the stupid Ganguly was rooting for Greg from the outset... because Greg had showed him how to grip his bat while facing the Ausies... and Gangs had had a very successful tour! Greg's (mis)handling of the Ganguly ouster and his recent alleged altercation with Tendulkar surely don't come across as a man who understands how to coach a passionate Indian cricket team. Coaching the Indian cricket team needs much more than a learned person; I do believe we need someone like John Wright... he may not have been the most admired person, but he had an effective way of managing the team. It is no coincidence that we did pretty well while he was the coach. I gained a lot of respect for John when I heard his commentary during the India matches in the league stage. He has a fantastic cricketing mind, and what was more important was how he narrated his thoughts... it was said in a calm manner with no "airs" or pride. I am sure it was the same when dealing with the Indian cricket team.
We must also realize that in Cricket, and unlike many sports (American Football, Basketball), the coach does not have the same powers as the captain. During the game, it's the captain who makes all the decisions. Now if we had the captain wearing a ear-piece and getting instructions from the coach (like the quarterback in Football) during the game, I would elect a coach like Greg... but until then I would go for someone like Wright.
Let's see how Shastri does... I think he falls between John and Greg. Perhaps that's what we need!
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3 comments:
Vivek here (i'll get a login later).
I guess the Shastri experiment will depend on the team they give him. Send a bunch of newbies to B'ladesh and I dont really get what you prove. I havent heard anyone lay out a plan beyond the immediate future, so all one can conclude is that its the usual smoke screen - Hope that India kicks ass in Bangladesh and then all will be forgiven and forgotten. I think that the really strong reaction most of us are experiencing is due to the fact that after the mess that was Jadeja and Azhar and Cronje(which I still dont know what to make of), we finally felt we were moving forward and then we get the mother of all world cups. Complete with upsets and deaths and the hero (Australia) as usual "dus dus ke barabar". Its become like a really bad movie that I just cant turn away from. I'll probably get back to it in another year or so (especially once the NFL starts and the Bucs suck again), but right now its really painful to try and make sense of the world of cricket.
By far "cricket" is a religion by itself in India. May it be for the Indian companies putting money into advertising or may it be Doordarshan or ESPN fighting for the telecast rights or maybe it be the desis in US trying to get VISAS and tickets to go to WI and watch India play Pakistan ..It's all a big farce .. I lost the little interest that I had for cricket .. It is so disappointing .. I hate the quota system .. and the way players are selected .. I wish we learn a lesson and appreciate talent instead of politicians making this wonderful game of cricket , a money minting business ..
Ashok,
Unfortunately, in this day and age, we cannot remove commercialization from cricket... or for that matter any sport. After all, sport is a form of entertainment... like it should be. I agree with you that we should be looking for and appreciating talent... and to that effect, the board is doing away with zonal selections. I still have reasonable faith in cricket, but I do hope that more importance is given to domestic games, and Twenty20. Let's get our media and fans into following Ranjit trophy... that's the only way to ensure that the best 11 represent our country.
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