After India’s victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Coach Gary Kirsten left his job and BCCI appointed Mr. Fletcher as Indian coach on the basis of Kirsten’s good review on him. On paper his career was lucrative with his past team England, as under his guidance England improved as a test team and won many tournaments in home and away matches in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa during 2000-2004 and most importantly England won a rare Asses series in his tenure.
End of Duncan Fletcher era, as BCCI is looking for his replacement after the World Cup 2015
However, as Indian coach, Fletcher has his Ups and Downs, as team India was able to achieve No. 1 test team. Thanks to a good domestic record and also they are currently standing in No 6 hats-down to very poor performance overseas. In last 5 away series, India was not able to win any single match, whereas they lost 11 matches in New Zealand, South Africa, England and now in Australia. Though India’s test record is very poor in his tenure, India is able to achieve No. 1 position in One Day cricket by some good performances.
Mr. Fletcher’s contract with Team India is till the end of the world cup and according to the sources, he has decided to resign after the cricket’s most lucrative tournament because of his wife’s ill health. As per some sources, he wanted to quit few months back but he could not due to the important Australia series and World Cup. He was also criticized due to India’s poor away form in test matches. Moreover, as India has already appointed Mr. Ravi Shastri as Team director, Mr. Fletcher’s role is in a question in the team. However, he is having a very good rapport with team captain Dhoni and Team Director Shastri. The former India All-rounder also praised Fletcher for his role in Indian cricket and named him as ‘father figure’ of current Indian team.
Now, as Mr. Fletcher is set to leave his position, BCCI is searching a new candidate to fill up this position of Indian coach. Indian captain Dhoni has already praised former Australian batsman Michael Hussey for this role. Hussey has already played with Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings in IPL and he is well known as Mr. Cricket of Australia for his cricket thoughts. So, BCCI may approach to him for this high profile job. As per the sources, Hussey is yet to take any decision on this proposal of MSD.
BCCI may also opt for former Indian cricketers, as team India’s performance under Shastri is very good. BCCI has already sacked the foreign supporting coaches and appointed former Indian players in those vacant posts. Under them, current Indian team is performing so well and eventually in the last ODI series against Sri Lanka they whitewashed their sub-continent opponents. Moreover the language problem between the coach and players can be solved easily by appointing credible Indian coaches and the coach can guide the players as per the Indian conditions. Regarding the credibility of the former Indian players, it is no doubt unquestionable.
It will be interesting to see who is becoming next Indian coach, a foreigner or an Indian.
Tags: BCCI, Coach, Duncan Fletcher, India, Indian Coach, Michael Hussey, Ravi Shastri, Team India, World Cup
