The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) has decided not to disturb a winning combination in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup by retaining the same coaching staff that did duty during the national team’s one-day series victory in England last month.
It means another lifeline for head coach Duncan Fletcher, who gets to see out his contract which runs until the World Cup and an extension for the Indian hands – director of cricket Ravi Shastri, assistant coaches Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar.
It is a sensible move considering the pre and post World Cup scenarios. Between now and the World Cup in February 2015, India are scheduled to play seven Test matches (three at home against West Indies and four in Australia) and a minimum of nine onedayers – five against Windies and the remaining in the tri-series in Australia that also involves England.
That gives ample time for the coaching set-up to prepare for the big event and also allow the Indian coaches to settle down in their job. Indians have rarely been part of the national team’s coaching set-up ever since the BCCI decided to opt for foreign hands in 2000.
But the team’s horrible overseas record in Tests under Fletcher’s watch – 13 losses, just two wins and five draws in 20 games – has changed that equation and forced the Indian board to look inwards.
The shambolic display in England during the five-match Test series which they lost 3-1 led to the bowling coach, South African Joe Dawes and fielding coach, Australian Trevor Penny being sidelined.
Fletcher survived because of his strong equation with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was adamant on having the former Zimbabwean captain until the World Cup.
But the board put Fletcher on notice by appointing an Indian support staff. Success in the oneday series in England changed the script and everybody was assured of a longer term.
The decision to give an extended reign to the current lot is also taken with an eye on the future. Irrespective of how India fares at the World Cup, it looks highly unlikely that Fletcher will play any role with the Indian team after March 2015.
The BCCI by then will have home-bred options for the head coach’s post. Having gained some experience with the national team current assistant coaches Arun and Bangar could emerge as serious contenders for the top post.
Both Arun and Bangar have risen through the ranks. Arun, 51, has coached state teams and the India youth teams while Bangar, 41, is already raking in the accolades for his role with Kings XI Punjab.
For all his success with England, Fletcher’s stint with the Indian team has been abysmal. Since he took charge following India’s World Cup triumph in 2011, the team’s Test record has been ordinary – 13 wins, 15 losses and 7 draws in 35 matches.
India lost five overseas Test series – twice in England, once each in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and their only away success was against West Indies, ranked No8, in 2011.
They were even found wanting at home, losing to England in 2012. Fletcher managed to dodge the bullet every time because those horror shows were interspersed with successes in the one-dayers – a format where India have always done well.
