Fletcher’s appointment purely BCCI’s decision: Whatmore
New Delhi: Apr 28, 2011
Stating that Duncan Fletcher’s appointment as India coach is purely a decision of the BCCI, Kolkata Knight Riders coach Dav Whatmore said ultimately it will be the results which will matter.
The BCCI on Wednesday appointed Fletcher as Gary Kirsten’s replacement on a two-year term. “It is purely a BCCI decision. They must have put in a lot of effort, thought and knowledge into the decision and at the end the result will what everyone will look at,” Whatmore said of the 62-year-old Zimbabwean’s appointment.
Deviating from the subject, Whatmore said his main task at the moment is to take his team Kolkata Knight Riders to the top four in the Indian Premier League. KKR will be desperate to get their IPL campaign back on track when they take on Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Thursday, but the coach said he was not too worried about his team’s two back-to-back losses.
“We do not want to read too much into the situation right now. This is such a format where you win a couple and lose a couple. At the end of it, making it to the top four will matter,” Whatmore said on the eve of the match.
While Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Virat Kohli termed the Kotla wicket as the best he has ever played on, Delhi captain Virender Sehwag declared that the track was not to his liking.
Whatmore, however, said that the wicket looks good. “It looks to be a good wicket. Watched the last two matches and it looks as if it help fast bowlers.” On whether it will be interesting to see Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir leading their respective teams in the IPL against each other, Whatmore said some “good contest is on cards”.
“They know each other’s game very well. They will share the secrets with their respective teams to their advantage. Viru is a respected player, Gautam is also very good. There is good contest on cards,” said Whatmore.
Insisting that apart from Mumbai Indians, all the other teams have been inconsistent in the tournament, “I would suggest that you do not look at the table and go into the match, rather you should win a few and then look at the table.
“At this point of time, way forward is to win as many matches as possible.” Asked if batting all-rounder Rajat Bhatia was a weaklink in the Kolkata outfit, Whatmore said it was unfair to single him out.
“I believe it is unfair to single out Rajat because I don’t think he has got decent enough opportunities where he could have made a difference. He is as valuable a player as others,” explained Whatmore.
News © PTI
Pictures © Getty Images