MUMBAI, 26 April 2007 — What is the exact function of an international cricket coach and his share of responsibility in the success or otherwise of the team of which he is named the mentor? This has never been defined and much less understood, especially in a country like India.
All the pitfalls of coming to together of an assertive coach, given to wield a measure of authority on one hand and a bunch of players with larger-than-life images came to the fore on the appointment of Greg Chappell. There was a sense of unease from the very start, as the highly pampered players did not want to be shackled, much less told where they could be going wrong. The relationship, to say the least, was far from cordiality.
That one experiment with Greg Chappell, for whatever it was worth, has not mad anyone the wiser. The BCCI, coaxed by senior players, is once again in chase of a foreign coach. So what or whom is the BCCI looking? There are only three on the shelf of international showroom of coaches, each one ready to play musical chairs for a few dollars more.
Tom Moody, whom India rejected last time, is bound to hiker his price considerably, just to give an impression that he is not greatly interested. On the other hand, Dav Whatmore is more than keen to take up the assignment. In his anxiety, he even did what must be considered unethical. In the midst of Bangladesh’s courageous campaign in the World Cup, he sent clear signals that he wanted to coach India.
The third is John Wright, presently negotiating with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The senior players in India would prefer him for his mild manners, non-obtrusive nature and “let-them-be” attitudes.
Is there any one else worth considering?
The argument against having our own homebred coach is that he might be biased and prone to be easily influenced by the higher-ups in the board. Poor excuse this. There have been coaches, better known as cricket managers, who have done their best and have certainly worked harder than any foreign coach.
It is always dark right under the wicker in an oil lamp. One cannot see what is closer home. Similar is the predicament of the BCCI. Touting money power, it is out shopping, and for what Moody or Whatmore? It is high time we turn our sights inward. Let us once again give our own a chance. He cannot be worse than the foreign imports we have in mind.
