Published: Jun 08, 2015, 01:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 08, 2015, 01:45 PM (IST)
The search is on for a right candidate for the high-profile job of the head coach of the Indian cricket team. The presence of Ravi Shastri however, makes the role redundant, with the Team Director being immensely equipt to double up as a head coach as well. Devarchit Varma explains the analysis further.
The media circles, critics, fans and a vast number of former cricketers from India and abroad have for long discussed the boons and banes of having either an overseas coach or someone home grown. Names such as former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, Sanjay Bangar and even former Australian batsman Justin Langer have discussed for the job. But, Shastri’s presence fulfils all the requirements of a head coach perfectly. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can for once let go of its fascination with a foreign coach and entrust the responsibility on the former cricketer. READ: Ravi Shastri expects longer tenure as Director
It is important for the BCCI and the advisory committee to determine which candidate fits the requirement, and also see whether good candidates are available in the market or not. It would be daft to appoint someone for the sake of filling up the vacant post, or to think the person would also share the workload with Shastri.
Trevor Bayliss has been hired by England, and there are questions over Jason Gillespie’s experience across formats. Langer has signed a deal with the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA), and Dravid has been appointed as coach of the India A and India Under-19 teams. Bangar is already associated with Indian cricket team as the assistant batting coach. READ: Rahul Dravid’s appointment as India A, India U-19 coach a masterstroke by BCCI
Looking elsewhere, there are no possibilities of either of Gary Kirsten or John Wright returning to the high-profile job in India, and Andy Flower — a name seriously discussed circa 2011 alongside Duncan Fletcher — is still employed with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
What India needs is a man who not only knows the cricketers well, but is also aware of their backgrounds, shortcomings, as well as strengths. Shastri is someone who not only knows the Indian cricketers as well as anyone else could do, but also scores over someone who would be new to the Indian cricketers and their culture.
The need of the hour is not only to have someone who understands Indian cricketers, but someone who can instil the ‘killer instinct’ in them. For far too long, India have wailed in Test cricket, suffering losses because of frailties in characters, self-doubting and not focussing on playing for results.
With Virat Kohli and Shastri at the helm, Indian cricket team will be immensely benefitted with these two like-minded men trying to go for the kill. Kohli cannot be more right in saying it is time for India to start thinking big, and there is no better man that Shastri who can keep the young men on their toes and keep pushing them to bring out the best. READ: Virat Kohli’s vocal support could get Ravi Shastri an extension
Aggressiveness as a trait has been a part of all teams that have made it to the top. India are lucky to be sitting pretty among the top five in the ICC Test Rankings, but the reality is starkly different. India can be backed for wins only at home in favourable subcontinental conditions. They still remain poor travellers and the immediate challenge for Kohli as a leader is to address this, and Shastri is just the right candidate to play a good supporting role.
The advisory committee consisting Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman is expected to consult the BCCI on the appointment of the national coach. The troika will certainly find the best man for the job, but they must also see what the requirement is, who fits the role perfectly, who knows the captain really well, and brings the qualities of aggression and positivity to the table. Shastri fits the bill perfectly. Read: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman join BCCI advisory committee
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
