14 May,2011 07:09 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
In his first media interaction as coach of India, Duncan Fletcher kept repeating that he wasn't keen on implementing a dictatorial style when it comes to coaching
No, he won't have a say in selection issues. Neither will he be entitled to publicly express his views on the UDRS, and will definitely not be in a position to implement a rotation policy for fast bowlers. Duncan Fletcher, who hasn't coached an international team in the last four years, arrived in India, giving the impression that he wanted the high-profile job of coach more than the job wanted him.
Duncan Fletcher interacts with the media in Chennai yesterday. Pic/AFP
His predecessor was consistently hushed, who let seniors manage themselves, spent time with youngsters, stayed away from media, and mostly, identified with the system. Not once did Gary Kirsten ridicule a selected squad or give his personal views on UDRS.
Fletcher is attempting to go the same route. But if his maiden media briefing offered any indication, he's poles apart from Kirsten.u00a0Firstly, he kept repeating that he 'wasn't keen to implement a dictatorial style' towards coaching, but quickly contracted himself, stating he hoped to influence players. Fletcher sounded like a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) spokesperson forced to embed his thoughts, choice of words. He intends to carry forward the legacy and philosophy left behind by Kirsten, but does he possess the temperament to do so?u00a0
"At the moment, people must appreciate I just want to come in and get comfortable. There won't be major changes as far as I am concerned. "I have watched the World Cup, and a bit of the IPL. I have some ideas, but I need to get there and observe a bit. Maybe after that we can make some decisions," said Fletcher, who will begin his coaching assignment during the forthcoming tour of West Indies.
Fletcher has been in India's opposite camp since November when New Zealand arrived here for a full tour. After that, he was a part of South Africa's camp as batting consultant before traveling for the recently concluded World Cup.
Was he secretly following the side? "It interests me to observe players from the opposition camp. Hopefully what I learnt from observing these players will help me when I start my coaching assignment. I can confirm with you that I was not eying the job whilst being in the opposite camp.
"It's only after the World Cup when Mr Srinivasan approached me. I was enjoying consultancy work, but when the job came my way, it excited me. I wanted to get back into the thick of the action as I had not coached a national team since England," he said.
Retirements? Not my look out!
With Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar likely to retire in the next 24 months, India will need to rebuild its Test team. Fletcher is clearly not worried: "When certain players retire, it's the job of the selection panel to choose right replacements. My job is to offer advice, pass on experience. In England, it took me close to three years to build the side that won the 2005 Ashes. Here, there's already a very strong team." When asked his plan to tackle the endless list of luminaries in Indian cricket, Fletcher said: "It is something you have to work on as time progresses. It's important to develop man management skills. They have to gain my respect
and vice versa."
Srinivasan butts in...
When asked his 'personal' opinion on UDRS, Fletcher said: "The system will come into play at some stage. Obviously there are some complications. Once those imperfections are sorted out, it will play a role." Immediately after that, Srinivasan told the journalist: "Your question was loaded. You are aware of BCCI's stance on this issue. Mr Fletcher is not yet aware of it. You should have prefaced your question properly. Anyway, it doesn't matter." At this stage, the expression, or the lack of it, on Fletcher's face was priceless.
When asked if he was looking to implicate a rotation policy for fast bowlers like he did with England, the BCCI secretary once again swooped in to remind the journalist that it was a selection issue. The journalist replied back, asking: "Won't he be able to make recommendations?" Srinivasan immediately backtracked, saying: "Of course, any recommendation made by him would be taken into consideration by the selection panel."
