Since the advent of cricket in this country, the Indian team has been marshalled by notable coaches — be it a renowned foreign player or an Indian stalwart. But, we have never witnessed as much interest over the appointment of a head coach as we have in the past fortnight.
The appointment of a head coach led to many discussions from various angles. But as the race boiled down to a two-man competition between Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble, the meaningful discussions transitioned to a campaign instead. Real issues concerning the performance of the team were easily forgotten because of this controversy.
The hype created makes one question the actual role of the coach and his importance in the team. Shouldn’t those who perform consistently at the international level matter more than the coach? Does it matter which coach is appointed? Unlike football, a coach is expected to execute the planning in cricket. He implements the activities with the help of the support staff. Nobody remembers the coach of the West Indies team when it was dominating the world cricket.
This is precisely the point that we need to debate. Thomas A. Tutko and Jack W. Richards were sports psychologists from San Jose State University, who did pioneering research on coaching styles in USA in 1971. They classified styles as Authoritarian, Personable, Casual, Intense and Businesslike. When we look at the Indian context, John Wright and Gary Kirsten were the Businesslike coaches. Duncan Fletcher was always Authoritarian.
Shastri can be classified as a Personable coach. He won the confidence of young players and built the team over the last 18 months. Kumble, on the other hand, could be Intense. He has vast international experience in sharpening the focus of the younger lot. So, which is the better type? What matters more? The answer to this eventually comes down to consistency of a winning percentage.
Each coach has a different style of functioning. Being experienced as a coach is not a necessity. Shastri didn’t have prior experience, but when the BCCI needed him, he didn’t let it down. Instead, the actual need of the team is a mentor — someone who understands the mindset of the players and gains their confidence.
Tight scheduleInternational cricket is getting tougher. The schedule is tight and the expectations from the players are increasing radically. The TRP-driven media harps on the failure of a player, putting him under more pressure. In addition to this, the competition is so high that even an established player, with maybe the exception of Virat Kohli, can’t take anything for granted.
Kohli continues to treat each international game as his last. This demeanour is a motivational pill for his colleagues.
Howsoever technically sound a player may be, eventually, the game is between the bat and the ball. Cricket is nothing but confidence. There was an instance in the 1971 England series, when Eknath Solkar, who was called a ‘powder puff’ medium-pacer by none other than former England captain Ted Dexter, destroyed the confidence of the great opener Geoffrey Boycott to such an extent that he withdrew from the third Test that India won.
Physical training is not the only aspect that needs attention. The players are young and are away from their families. They need reassurance from someone to boost their confidence. This is the job that Kumble will have to tackle.
In 1982, when India toured England, Sandeep Patil was in a terrible state of mind due to personal issues regarding his marriage. Not only did skipper Sunil Gavaskar handle him tactfully, but a couple of days before the Old Trafford Test, Patil received a handwritten letter from his mentor, Ashok Mankad. This letter, as Patil admitted later, pumped him up to score brilliant 129. This is the Test in which Patil hit six boundaries in a 7-ball (1 no-ball) over against the fast bowler Bob Willis!
Kumble’s international career spanning over 18 years gives him a foothold to handle any given situation. Although the ups and downs of the players are not new to him, it is going to be tough to manage the team with a jam-packed schedule of Test matches.
It is also intriguing to see that a bowling coach has not been appointed. India plays with three medium pacers and one spinner as the type of the ball used at the international level allows the pacers to operate more. Even on slow subcontinent pitches, pacers work on the ball and make things happen. It is a known fact that Indian spinners haven’t been able to make a big impact even in Indian conditions.
Kumble recently said he wanted his bowlers to act as captains when they were bowling. This theory is unlikely to succeed because the Indian bowlers have been taught to obey the tactics of the captain.
Kumble’s tactical prudence is a perfect complement to Kohli’s aggression. With the team in capable hands, the country needs to believe that good things are in store for it.
