Imperative for new support staff to stay on till World Cup

Tags: BCCI

Published on: Sep 11, 2014

The BCCI did something rather panicky in the aftermath of the Test disaster in England. They sent most of the coaches in the team apart from head coach Duncan Fletcher on leave and hired new staff overnight

The BCCI did something rather panicky in the aftermath of the Test disaster in England. They sent most of the coaches in the team apart from head coach Duncan Fletcher on leave and hired new staff overnight. Whatever the reasons things did work as India went on to win the one-dayers comprehensively following the Test debacle. Of course, it most possibly was a coincidence that the appointment of Ravi Shastri was immediately followed by the one-day series win. But, now that a new system is in place, it is imperative that no tinkering is done till the World Cup.

The main reason why the team staff shouldn't be changed around now is because the World Cup is just a few months away. Bringing in new personnel at this stage could lead to a lot of confusion among the players. Right now, they would be trying to get used to the style of functioning of the newly-appointed staff and, as such, they wouldn't be too keen on new people joining in the system. The BCCI must thus ensure, for the players' sake, that unless there is a dire situation, there is no chopping and changing until the World Cup. This will only benefit the players.

Retaining the same back up staff, means keeping Duncan Fletcher as head coach as well till the World Cup. MS Dhoni has already indirectly confirmed the same. The move could raise some heads considering the disappointing results that Fletcher has delivered consistently since taking over. But, irrespective of what he has done till take, Fletcher must continue for the sake of continuity. He understands the players well now, and if a new coach comes in at this point, by the time he gets a hang of the players, the World Cup would have arrived. The time to replace Fletcher has long passed.

Although he was only a stop-gap arrangement, it would be a big plus to Indian cricket if Ravi Shastri stays on as Team Director. He doesn't have great credentials as a coach, but is definitely doing something right since so many current players, and the retired VVS Laxman as well, have come out in vocal support of his. If so many players are praising him, there must be a lot good as Team Director that Shastri can do for India. His positive attitude is a definite plus as it rubs off on the players. Additionally, he knows the players very well being a commentator who travels with the team. That can only be an added advantage.

The support staff cannot do a lot if the players on the field do not perform. But, they can definitely impact the mindset of players. It can be argued that if grown-ups like Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan needed to be given a push at this stage in their career then their mental state is not that great. Then again, it is a fact that players are under great pressure in international cricket these days. Thus, any amount of reassurance can only be good for them. The primary job of the team coaches is to ensure that the players go out minus a muddled mindset. For that though, they themselves first need to be given a stable position.

--By A Cricket Analyst

Related News