New Delhi: John Wright gave senior players of the Indian cricket team a lot of freedom, which Anil Kumble and Greg Chappell didn’t do, leading to their unceremonious departures as coach, Sandeep Patil has said in his autobiography.
Titled Beyond Boundaries and unveiled on Wednesday, Patil spoke about internal developments he was privy to, being the India A coach during the Chappell era, having attended selection and board meetings.
He had also served as chairman of selectors after his playing days when he was part of the 1983 World Cup winning team.
“Since 2000, India have had an array of international coaches and support staff. This has paid rich dividends, because India’s overseas record has improved steadily. It all started with John Wright becoming India’s first foreign coach.
“I think John was the ideal coach for India. He was soft spoken, polite, well-mannered, always kept to himself, and was happy to be in Sourav Ganguly’s shadow,” Patil wrote in his book.
“In addition to all that, he kept a distance from the Press. He managed that so well, that he was hardly in the news – unlike what happened in the Greg Chappell years.
“With Chappell, he was in the news every day. It is very important for a coach to first understand the policy of that particular board, the thinking of the board members, and the President. He should have a good rapport with the President and the Secretary, and of course the captain and the team. John did that wonderfully.”
‘No seniors and juniors during Wright era’
Patil said Wright didn’t employ a divide and rule and it helped in building a good environment as he requirement of the team came above everything else.
He also pointed out that Gary Kirsten, who helped India win the ODI World Cup in 2011, was successful as he was very close to the players.
“…during his tenure, there was no ‘seniors’ and juniors’ business. It was one team. He believed all seniors were leaders in some way, He gave them respect, and a free hand, which l feel Anil Kumble didn’t do. Greg Chappell too,” the former batter wrote.
“Greg is a very strong personality; very aggressive. The moment Jagmohan Dalmiya said you have a free hand, he thought that he can change everything overnight. John waited, and learnt the system. Greg wanted to change the entire system, the entire thinking, and the selection process,” Patil elaborated.
“He introduced flexibility in the Indian team, and he spoiled things for Rahul Dravid, who took over from Ganguly as captain. Irfan (Pathan) was asked to move up the order. Seniors don’t like to change numbers, whether it is Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid, or Virender Sehwag.
“The other issue in the Greg Chappell saga was the presence of Ian Fraser as Assistant Coach. Most players didn’t like his presence.”
