New Indian coach Duncan Fletcher vows to eliminate dictatorial approach: Cricket News
Indian coach, Duncan Fletcher, is set to start his role at the helm of the Indian team that is preparing for its tour to the West Indies. The World Champions would play five One Day International (ODI) matches against the hosts, which would be followed by a three matches Test series.
Fletcher, who took over the reins of the Indian team after the World Cup winning coach, Gary Kirsten, quit following the final in Mumbai last month, feels that he has to adopt a positive policy where he can communicate with all parties and stake-holders and help the team improve its performances at the highest level of the game.
He added that he is not looking at dictating players, but is keen on having them understand his point of view and ensure that the players hear and grasp the tactics and implement a game plan.
He addressed his first press conference in India which was attended by a huge media contingent which all wanted to hear from the man who has the reigns of Indian cricket in the next two to three years.
"It's not about dictating to the Indian players how I want them to play - sure to some degree you have to try influencing them - but it's about offering advice to the players and it's up to them to take it on board," Fletcher said as he answered a volley of questions from the media.
He added that he has the same philosophy as that of his predecessor who was one of the finest opening batsmen produced by South Africa, one advantage that the batsman was that he was in touch with the modern game.
Fletcher on the other hand quit playing at the highest level in the 80s. He has not been in touch with the playing side of things however has a handle on coaching with his stint with the English team besides coaching at various levels on short term contracts in domestic crickets in England and South Africa.
The Zimbabwean also revealed that he had spoken to Kirsten before he took over the reins of the Indian team, he added that Kirsten and him had much in common which should help the Indian team to adjust quickly with the change at the helm.
"Gary Kirsten followed my philosophy. He came and spoke to me before he took up the Indian job. I offered him advice on how to handle situations and he took that on board. And now, by Gary sort of pushing me for this job by taking my credentials to BCCI, he realized that my philosophy of coaching is right for India. Hopefully it's right."
He added that he had been observing the Indian players over the last few months during his role as consultant in the batting department. He feels that a coach need to gain the respect and they have to gain his respect for them to work in close association with each other.
He stated that it becomes easier once communication is established and the job of both camps is made easier.
He feels that to establish communication one needs to be patient, as generally it takes time. He further added that throughout his career as a coach he had worked with some big players elsewhere as well and one just needs to develop this man-management process.
He thinks that during his coaching stints as consultant with South Africa and New Zealand he watched the Indian players from a close range spending time observing their body language and approach to the game. He hopes that the knowledge gained would come in handy soon.
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