'You don't need a professor at this level' - Ganguly

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Sourav Ganguly has applauded the man-management skills of the current Indian coaching staff and was pleased that the tour has proceeded without any "hiccups". More... Former captain applauds man-management skills of support staff 'You don't need a professor at this level' - Ganguly Siddhartha Vaidyanathan August 24, 2007 Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, has applauded the man-management skills of the current Indian coaching staff and was pleased that the tour has proceeded without any "hiccups". Ganguly, who had some major differences with former India coach Greg Chappell, was happy with the current atmosphere in the dressing room, adding that the team did not need a "professor" to coach them at this level. "The youngsters have enjoyed themselves," Ganguly told Cricinfo when asked about the dynamics in the team. "It's been a lovely dressing room, a free dressing room. No hiccups, not many controversies off the field, not too much rubbish going around, which has been good. It's been fantastic." Did he think the lack of a head coach had affected the team in any way? "We have coaches - Robin [singh] and Venky [Prasad] have been superb," he said. "They've been nice, their man-management skills have been worth watching. Chandu Borde has been nice. Lot of people said he's 73 when he got appointed. He may not be the most active because of his age but the batting ideas he gives - stands behind in the nets, watches every ball - that's all you need. "You don't need a professor at this level. You don't need to treat international players like students. What are you going to teach Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid or Anil Kumble? What are you going to tell them? [There are] minor things which you notice in the nets you come and tell them, 'This is what I feel, this is how you can do it better'. And Mr Borde does it perfectly." After India's Test series triumph at The Oval, their captain, Dravid, had also acknowledged the efforts of Prasad, Robin and Borde. However, when asked about the lack of a coach before the first game of the one-day series, he was guarded with his stance. "We've had some good success on this tour, but it will be too simplistic to say it's because we haven't had [a coach]," he said. "There are other factors that have gone into us playing well. You can't just focus on the coach. "Sometimes you're in the team and looking at it from one perspective. People from outside can look at a team and see the direction it's going in. They must provide some intelligence and input as well."

[King]

There you go at least couple other international players reckon coaches are way over rated in international cricket.

[gator]

i feel, Prasad and Robin are really doing well and it is unfair tht a coach is a coach only if he is a batting coach and why inspite of Prasad and Robin, our team is referred to as coachless.... i am fine with these 2 at the helm, though the jury is still out on Robin.... Prasad has really walked the talk... he gave out the right soundbytes in his interviews last year on how he can do well as our coach and he has really backed it up.... the first time pace bowler has won an overseas series after a looooong time....

[fineleg]

Gator, The pacers won us West Indies last year (Test series)

[abhinav]

The pacers have done a great job and Venky must get credit. Though I am not sure if Zak's revival and form has any significant contribution from anyone byut himself, the guy has really worked on his technique, fiteness and ethic for a couple of seasons now; he's reaping the rewards now. Robin, i am disappointed thus far, the fielding looks really shoddy rightnow and seems to be slipping backwards actually. I would love to be proved wrong.

[fineleg]

Fielding is India's biggest problem. We just cannot afford to carry this sort of fielders. Shameful.

[karina]

Abhinav is right, the fielding is regressing. The whole team looked lethargic

[abhinav]

My feeling is that you can get by batting or bowling if you are very talented; like our team i; but in case the fielding standards are dipping..then it points towards a more serious problem..that of discipline. I expect a proper, strong coach to instil discipline in the team which is perhaps lacking in our case right now; thats despite having Robin as a fielding coach..I dont expect the super stars to give much respect to Robin anyways. So whatever Prince Ganguly might say, we DO need a coach, someone who can make people like him run the hard miles.

[The Outsider]

Our team is too old and unfit to become a serious ODI unit.

[King]

Our team is too old and unfit to become a serious ODI unit.

I second that. Unless there is a drastic change in the team nothing's going to change. India will continue to win few games at home but will struggle overseas on big ground and in bowler friendly conditions.

[fineleg]

When is my wish list of the Maharathis getting kicked out or they themselves gracefully retiring (unlikely) to happen!???

[Gambit]

When is my wish list of the Maharathis getting kicked out or they themselves gracefully retiring (unlikely) to happen!???

SRT and Gangs are still scoring runs in ODIs, so there is no chance for them to get dropped. Only if they opt out, will we see newer batsmen. RD is the captain, so he'll be there for a long time.