Winning abroad to be made priority for new Team India coach

[BeautifulGame]

Whoever becomes the new coach of the Indian cricket team, he would be given a clear brief – start winning abroad. India’s fighting spirit in the Test series in Australia and a seven-match winning streak in the World Cup might have created a feel-good atmosphere. But the BCCI, under its new dispensation, wants the team to start consistently winning the tougher tours abroad . “We couldn’t beat Australia in a single game in four months and you’re saying the team is doing fine,†a top cricket board official said. “We need a performance overhaul. Test cricket is hugely important. We would like to see what the new coach brings to the table in terms of improving our performance on the road. India rule world cricket and we can’t let the world mock us as poor travellers. We will take a decision in a fortnight,†he added. There are a couple of options that are being considered. The first is to continue with the existing set-up of a team director, with a relatively low-profile coach like Sanjay Bangar or Pravin Amre working under him. But if a high-profile coach is appointed, then the post of team director is likely to be done away with. According to a Cricket Association of Bengal insider, Sourav Ganguly had an informal discussion with the Indian cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya, during which he expressed interest in taking over the reins from Duncan Fletcher, whose contract ended with the conclusion of the World Cup. “Sourav’s achievements as a cricketer and his tactical acumen present a strong case. But he has to apply for the job. They had a discussion but Dalmiya didn’t give him any assurance,†he said. Those who are keen on taking up the job will have to apply, make a presentation and then sit for an interview. A panel of BCCI office bearers and former India captains are going to conduct the interviews. Sunil Gavaskar could play a key role here. Gavaskar had provided some valuable inputs in appointing former India coaches like John Wright, Greg Chappell and Gary Kirsten. Also, when Chappell had resigned post the 2007 World Cup debacle, Ravi Shastri was given the temporary charge on his advice. Over the past few years, however, India’s greatest-ever Test batsman had been made a peripheral figure in Indian cricket’s scheme of things. But with Dalmiya returning to power, Gavaskar is going to be a very important man again. The two have an excellent working rapport. Dalmiya is tight-lipped over his future plans. “Wait for 10-odd days and you will get know,†he told The Indian Express. But it is learnt that applications from overseas professionals will be accepted as well. dravid in the fray? A section of the cricket board wants Rahul Dravid to throw his hat into the ring. “Dravid is a hugely respected figure and is doing a great job as Rajasthan Royals mentor/coach. We want someone to take this young team forward. Also, with Virat Kohli as captain, we need someone who can play second fiddle. With two strong personalities at the top, a personality clash might occur. Dravid would be a top candidate, but like Ganguly, he, too, has to apply for the job if he’s interested,†said a source. During his first stint as BCCI president from 2001-2004, Dalmiya had made it imperative that India do well in Test matches away from. A cricketing renaissance ensued under Ganguly with India winning Test matches in England, West Indies and Australia. They became the joint-winners in the Champions Trophy and finished runners-up in the 2003 World Cup. Under Dravid also, India won Test series in England and West Indies. Over the past four years, India, however, have lost 15 overseas Test matches. Dalmiya, in his second stint, wants to set the record straight. He wants consistency across formats. http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/make-outside-india/ Dalmiya and co are making some really good noises .Hopefully they walk the talk as well.

[kosingh]

Aren't we not playing a whole lot of tests abroad in the next couple of years?

[BeautifulGame]

Aren't we not playing a whole lot of tests abroad in the next couple of years?

Yeah only test series scheduled abroad are against Sri Lanka and WI in next 3 years

[youngindia]

I really can't see anyone either from administration and ex players capable of solving these problems hounding a coach is not going to produce sub 28 average bowlers. there is a huge problem in the development of fast bowlers. The bowlers are not adjusting to lengths properly ,not solving problems fast enough. not figuring out troublesome opposition batsmen.too many runs to the tail if you can't figure out mortals like shoaib malik, you are not going very far. they would be relieved they are not playing Australia for a while. ofcourse gavaskar will solve the problems of indian cricket by identifying rare talents stuart binny and vinay kumar..shastri, srinath agarkar will come with this innovative idea of 5 bowlers which will change the whole face of fast bowling why do I even bother about the farce? the only relief is the next tour is a while from now. then the whole circus will start again before another series defeat!

[express bowling]

We need to identify and develop more pace bowlers who combine good pace and decent accuracy and have wicket taking ability. The board has to do this proactively if it wants to win tests abroad. Otherwise ...no coach can do anything.

[Pagalpanti]

The scheduling is so stupid. We toured NZ-SA-Eng-Aus within 20 months and now we wont be touring to any of these places for next 3 years. Hopefully BCCI fixes this as well.

[rkt.india]

Bowling, bowling, fast bowling if you don't good fast bowling, you can do nothing overseas. 4 top class pacers. On the three tours, it was our bowling which let us down big time. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

[Lannister]

IPL is the reason for our bowlers' inability to take wickets. In T-20, you don't need to always take wickets as long as you can restrict the runs, keeping an economy of less than 6 or 7 is considered good for an individual bowler. It seems our bowlers are applying the same defensive approach in the Tests, too rather than going for the wickets. This is the reason why the likes of Steyn, MJ never accomplished much in T-20's as they tend to always go for the wickets and get carted instead. The only possible solution for this is to maintain separate squads for Tests and LOI's.

[MCcricket]

What we lack is picking up the right bowlers n them monitoring n guiding them, Suyal, A Choudhury, Aaron, Umesh, Shami can be world class, same way the u19 players should be earmarked for higher honors based on potential. Australia n some other countries do that well

[express bowling]

We need to unearth new, wicket taking quick bowlers with decent accuracy. This should be the board's priority. There are no important away series in the near future and this time should be used to develop wicket taking bowlers. I don't see many exciting new talent in our domestic matches and IPL. Aaron should be coached with great care to make him a mature bowler and help him develop a stock ball. Suyal and Bumrah are the other probables.

[FlickedOffHips]

Who knows when Duncan Fletcher will leave though.

[BeautifulGame]

Who knows when Duncan Fletcher will leave though.

His contract ended with world cup and hr is already off

[FlickedOffHips]

His contract ended with world cup and hr is already off

I see.

[govinda]

finnly bcci is caring about team perfomance

[kosingh]

finnly bcci is caring about team perfomance

I don't think so. They're just making the right noises when they know they will not be tested (not many foreign tests)

[Marut]

Make winning in SA, Aus, Eng and NZ a priority - not just away tours. We already know we may do well in Sri Lanka, WI, Bangla and Zimb. We are not going to win unless we unearth a sub 25 bowler or two sub 30 bowlers. With several 30+ pacers in the team, first think about winning a test outside the SC, and then a series. Batting too has to improve - it is too dependent on one or two individuals.

[Pagalpanti]

Bowling' date=' bowling, fast bowling if you don't good fast bowling, you can do nothing overseas. 4 top class pacers. On the three tours, it was our bowling which let us down big time. I don't see that changing anytime soon.[/quote'] This. I still feel disappointed about those 3 tests (2 in NZ and 1 in SA) we should've rather won had our bowling shown up.

[SLICKR392]

“We couldn’t beat Australia in a single game in four months and you’re saying the team is doing fine,” a top cricket board official said. “We need a performance overhaul. Test cricket is hugely important. We would like to see what the new coach brings to the table in terms of improving our performance on the road. India rule world cricket and we can’t let the world mock us as poor travellers. We will take a decision in a fortnight,” he added.

Nice to see such fresh statements. Usually it used to be 'We fought hard and yet people criticize us blah blah..'

[zep1706]

The scheduling is so stupid. We toured NZ-SA-Eng-Aus within 20 months and now we wont be touring to any of these places for next 3 years. Hopefully BCCI fixes this as well.

Completely agree. There should be a balance between home and away series. The scheduling has been pathetic. Also India should start a tradition of fixed home series every year like Australia and England.

[FischerTal]

Bowling' date=' bowling, fast bowling if you don't good fast bowling, you can do nothing overseas. 4 top class pacers. On the three tours, it was our bowling which let us down big time. I don't see that changing anytime soon.[/quote'] It's not going to change ever