Dictatorial style won’t work in India: Fletcher

Newly-appointed India cricket coach Duncan Fletcher today ruled out adopting a dictatorial style of functioning while guiding the world champion team, saying he would spend some time with the players before deciding if any changes are required.

Dictatorial style won't work in India: Fletcher

Fletcher said he has already had a chat with his predecessor Gary Kirsten, who departed on a high after steering the team to its first World Cup triumph in 28 years.

Kirsten had earned respect of both the cricketers and the administrators with his man-management skills and calm demeanour and Fletcher said there won't be any major departure from that.

"There will not be any major changes in my plans prepared for the team. I had watched the Indian team's performance in South Africa and the World Cup. But I will make my observations after being physically with the Indian team and then perhaps I can make some changes, if necessary," Fletcher said at his first media interaction after being appointed as coach.

"I am in a place where one cannot have a dictatorial role," he added.

The Zimbabwean, who guided England to a memorable Ashes series win in 2005, conceded that coaching India is a challenge.

"This is new challenge for me. I had a bit of advices from coach Gary Kirsten and bowling coach Eric Simmons. I had another chat with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It is a very exciting job, coaching the world champion team. It's a high profile job. "In sub-continent conditions, I have had fairly good results in the past with back-to-back series win in Pakistan and Sri Lanka," he said.

Asked about the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), to which BCCI and some Indian cricketers have already made their disliking public, Fletcher said, "It's a system, that will come into play in cricket."

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels