At Sydney, curtain starts to come down on Duncan Fletcher era

[Switchblade]

http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/at-sydney-curtain-starts-to-come-down-on-fletcher-era/99/ In all likelihood, Monday was the final practice session for Duncan Fletcher as India coach in the build-up to a Test match. Whichever way you look at it, him retaining his post once the contract runs out at the end of the World Cup seems unlikely if not improbable. For, it’s seemed obvious for a while now that he’s been running his final course. The farewell lap if you may. Fletcher has never been an extrovert. He’s always seemed to thrive in his shell, his cocoon. But often during the Australian tour, he’s looked aloof. Like a bemused foreigner caught in the middle of a big, fat Indian wedding. There’s been a lot of activity taking place around him and before him, but little that he can fathom. Till the Test series in England, he had his own in the mix. Those he could relate to in the form of Joe Dawes and Trevor Penney, who came in as fielding coach alongside the Zimbabwean. Without them around, he’s looked rather lost, if not out of place. Some of Fletcher’s routines have remained the same though. He has still continued to indulge in one-on-ones with the batsmen. On Sunday, he spent around 15 minutes explaining the importance of head position, especially while donning a helmet, to Cheteshwar Pujara. He’s also had similar sessions with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at times. Whenever possible, he’s retreated to his customary pose behind the nets resembling the many senior citizens you find soaking in some cricket action at Mumbai’s Cross Maidan, from the gully that separates Churchgate and CST. And every practice session, including the one at the SCG, has witnessed at least one lengthy discussion between the coach and the erstwhile skipper MS Dhoni. Fletcher came with a strong reputation when he took over the reins of the Indian team. He had spent close to seven years previously as England coach. With England, Fletcher was the boss. The centre in the power-centre. It’s not like he dealt with submissive captains. Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan were strong-minded individuals who led from the front and had their own views, and believed in enforcing them. But Fletcher was the ultimate voice of reason, and the final word. Always. But with India, especially of late, that hasn’t been the case. The free reign he so enjoyed over in England hasn’t really come to bear with India. “I coach cricket teams to win,†he had written in his autobiography titled “Behind the Shadesâ€. Unfortunately for Fletcher, under him, India have only won two Test matches away from home in 23 attempts. If that doesn’t rankle a reputation, nothing will. With England, it was the coach who would often make decisive calls on who to play and who to not. Ask Monty Panesar. But Fletcher has had to deal with whoever has come his way in the Indian setup. That he doesn’t spend time scouting domestic cricket for talent is another drawback, and doesn’t help his case either. Those in the know insist that the liquidation of Fletcher’s influence has been dramatic. A transition from being a figure of authority when he signed up to one basically chipping in as batting consultant, that too on and off.

New Test captain Kohli for one expressed his satisfaction with the Fletcher tenure but was non-committal towards commenting on his future. “I have personally certainly enjoyed him being coach and all the youngsters and all the players that have played under him have also enjoyed because you get a lot of input. But at the end of the day it’s an individual’s call. What I want and what other players want (it doesn’t matter), at the end of the day what matters is his personal decision we just have to wait and watch what happens at that point of time but I really enjoyed playing under Duncan Fletcher,†he said.

But will he be even given a chance to make that personal decision is the real question. In all likelihood, the decision you feel has already been taken. The Sydney Test should be his swansong in at least the longer format. It’s been three-and-a-half-years since Fletcher took over as India coach in a drab press conference at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad. Ever since, he’s remained behind the shades. Right till the very end. But as his tenure has worn on, he’s also been pushed to the deep end. To the extent, that probably all he sees through those shades now is widespread tenebrosity as he brings to an end a coaching assignment where his team spent a majority of the time drawing blanks. A QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ASKED! It’s a strange report card. Until a year back, it was said that he can’t be blamed for the overseas defeats as no one really expected the seniors to start failing like they did. In the last Australia tour, many a hour in the nets was spent with Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and he couldn’t really work too much with the youth. When they retired, it was hoped that he will get the youngsters rolling. But that too hasn’t really happened. Which young batsman has really transformed under him? Suresh Raina couldn’t become a Test bat, Rohit Sharma couldn’t, and Ajinkya Rahane started succeeding as soon as he came to the Test team last year, without Fletcher influence it has to be said. And it’s learnt the M Vijay’s learning curve in Tests was honed by inputs from Michael Hussey. What has Fletcher done, then? It’s a harsh question of course, and ultimately it’s the individual’s responsibility to grow, but when neither the seniors found revival nor the youngsters moved to next step, then the question has to be asked.

[nevada]

Even after getting demoted and being made to report to Shastri, he is still hanging in there so he can collect the full amount of his contract. He doesn't seem confident of landing another gig if he leaves his current position.

[asterix]

:pray:

[Darth Bane]

Yep Fletcher should have gone a long time ago, the damage he and Dhoni have done will take a decade to erase. Warne, Fleming etc are all good coaches in waiting, not sure that Fleming will coach though. India also need a good bowling coach and there are plenty of those around.

[G_B_]

I personally dont blame Duncan Fletcher the new calibre of Indian players coming through are just not good enough atm. Looking at our bowlers bowl on day 1 I actually missed Ishant Sharma. Thats how bad things were. You cant polish a turd and call it gold.

[Austin 3:!6]

I personally dont blame Duncan Fletcher the new calibre of Indian players coming through are just not good enough atm. Looking at our bowlers bowl on day 1 I actually missed Ishant Sharma. Thats how bad things were. You cant polish a turd and call it gold.

This this and this. Why people tend to ignore that we are a mediocre test side, specially overseas. Bowlers are pathetic who will not feature even in the A team of Aust, SA, Eng. No coach or captain can spoon feed them and improve them. Change all the hierarchy you want but there will not be any change in results unless talent comes up. Same Indian team does wonder in ODI's under Fletcher. Why? Because players of these generation just love the limited version of the game. Its not that Fletcher suddenly become a super coach come ODI's and goes hiding during test matches. Its high time we stop blaming hierarchy and start to realize the limited talent we have for test cricket.

[SLICKR392]

I personally dont blame Duncan Fletcher the new calibre of Indian players coming through are just not good enough atm. Looking at our bowlers bowl on day 1 I actually missed Ishant Sharma. Thats how bad things were. You cant polish a turd and call it gold.

^ True. The bowlers are at times hopeless. How much would you spoon feed someone? Certain tactics from our bowlers (I'm quiet sure majority of the time these guys don't have any plan) are rubbish. Bowling on the leg or wide outside off. No patience on such wickets (SCG), you just keep frustrating the batsmen with a good line. Not a tad bit of common sense. Just give up the format if you can't ****ing use your sense. P.S- g_b has tried polishing his turd to see if it turned gold. Alas!

[G_B_]

I am sorry but i just **** gold... I think we need to keep in context that the Indian team during Fletchers era was going through a time of great flux when a lot of seniors quit. As i mentioned before the second line of Viru Gambhir etc basically collapsed along with Sachin Laxman and Ganguly. Even Zaheer khan just went kaput post 2011. this is exactly why I feel we need to make Banger coach. He is a guy atleast who may know the players needed to do better overseas in the ranjis

[The Realist]

Every man and his dog knew that Fletcher was on a pre-retirement gig with India, simply there to make easy money. He was finished with Eng and they threw him out after getting wiped 0-5 in Aus. And surprise surprise the away results have been just as awful with India, 2 wins in 23 tests overseas. Unfortunately the zombies at the BCCI as usual did no homework picked up somebody who should have been snoozing in a retirement home and instead made him the most highly paid cricket "coach" in the world. You cannot make this up.

[VRV Singh]

Duncan Fletcher doesn't do anything. He is long past having any influence on proceedings. at least he is eating into some of BCCIs coffers with his salary, rather it spent on his fast food tour of the world than sit in BCCI hands

[Lord]

:yay:

[The Realist]

India are set to have a new coach post the 2015 World Cup, which ends at the MCG on March 29. Current coach Duncan Fletcher’s contract expires after the quadrennial event and the Indian board and management have decided to not renew his contract. Often criticised for being silent and avoiding media queries, Fletcher acknowledged for his tactical acumen has had a tough run with India’s overseas performances in Test series showing no improvement. In October, bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach Trevor Penney accepted the board’s offer to terminate their contracts, but with the World Cup around the corner, Fletcher retained his job. The BCCI then appointed Ravi Shastri as director to oversee operations and also named Bharat Arun and Sanjay Bangar as assistant coaches and R. Sridhar as fielding coach. Though the board is yet to start the search for Fletcher’s deputy, the process has begun. It is understood that members of the board are in touch with former players, who have retired recently and are seeking their opinion on the issue. Meanwhile, a top BCCI official rubbished reports of Mike Hussey being in contention to replace Fletcher. http://www.asianage.com/cricket/duncan-fletcher-s-contract-not-be-renewed-after-world-cup-909

[rkt.india]

Coach's job is more or less a sideshow in Indian cricket, just to give some throw downs like Gary or sit in the dressing room like Duncan. Indian coach does not have the authority likes of Flower and Lehman have. Captain is the ultimate pilot in Indian setup.