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Chappell favours strong basics
Greg Chappell on Thursday formally took over as coach of the Indian cricket team, saying he would evolve a simple coaching format for the side which would focus on doing the basics "extraordinarily well".
Greg Chappell on Thursday formally took over as coach of the Indian cricket team, saying he would evolve a simple coaching format for the side which would focus on doing the basics "extraordinarily well".
The former Australian captain, who took over the reins on a two-year term, said he would work out a strategy to suit the Indian mindset while expressing the desire to play a part in selection matters, a role which his predecessors did not enjoy.
"We have to be focussed on doing the basic things extraordinarily well... That (the strategy) will change from day-to-day, series-to-series and country-to country", Chappell said in his first media conference after taking charge.
"Each country has different wickets, different methods to the game to be successful. In some countries, fast bowlers are the best weapon; in some other countries, spinners are the best weapon," he said. He made it clear that he would not try to replicate the Australian way of playing the game but evolve a strategy to suit the Indians.
"Every country and every culture is different. Every country has different personalities; each individual is a different personality. You can't transplant one format that works in one country in another country and expect it to work exactly the same," he said.
Chappell said he was keen to have a say in selection matters and would discuss the issue with the Cricket Board. "I have got an open mind about that; I don't have a particularly firm view," said Chappell, who was an Australian selector in the past.
Chappell said sitting down with the selectors or being on the selection panel would give him an opportunity to discuss his "philosophy" with those the selectors.
"I am just looking forward to meeting and discussing with the BCCI and how they want to have things pan out," he said.
Drawing positives from the absence of Sachin Tendulkar due to an elbow surgery, Chappell said it would give chance to an up-and-coming player to prove his worth at the highest level.
"It might be an opportunity for someone else who comes up as the next champion cricketer for India. So, it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise," he said.
Chappell hastened to add, "Don't twist my words. I am not saying that it's a good thing that Sachin is injured. All I am saying is Sachin is injured; with that one has to make the most of the opportunity.
Chappell said a bowling coach was not a priority for the team at the moment, but he would consider availing the services of experts in different areas in future. "If we need a bowling coach, I am happy to have a bowling coach... It's not something that I see as a top priority right at this moment.
... defends Ganguly
SOURAV GANGULY received a vote of confidence from Greg Chappell who said a player of his calibre should be given more opportunities to hit form.
Giving his views on the captaincy issue at a press conference on Thursday, Chappell said "speaking on cricket in general, one has to pick the team first and then the best person to lead the team," adding he felt quite strongly in favour of this method. Asked if Ganguly should be continued as the captain, the coach said: "If he (Ganguly) is the best man for the job, he should have it; if he is not, someone else should have it."
Asked whether Ganguly continues to be in the team by default being the captain, Chappell said "from time to time, you will have players out of form; player who is successful for a long time, you may have to give more opportunities than perhaps you would give someone else."
"There are not many players who can succeed at that level. It's not just about talent; it's about personality, temperament...It's about learning. They also make mistakes, have a bad day but they learn from mistakes. The best players are those who learn fast," Chappell observed.
