The very man who revolutionized and galvanized Indian cricket to new heights and to a level that it had never reached before, popularly known as the “Dada” of Indian cricket, recently expressed his wish to coach team India in the future if given a chance by the BCCI. He expressed this wish to a Hindi news channel ’Aaj Tak’. Having followed Sourav throughout his career as one of his most passionate fans and seen him captain the team the way he did, here are some qualities which I think can make him the ‘Coach that India needs’.

 A good motivator:

One of the most important requirements of being a coach is to be a good motivator. Dada, since his captaincy days, has been known to bring out the best in the players. Just a year back, he brought out the best in the Bengal team when they were threatened of relegation in Ranji trophy and later went on to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy with them after a long drought.

Spots talent:

A coach should be able to spot talent and bring it to the notice of the selectors. Sehwag, Zaheer, Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Kaif, Nehra were all brought in by Dada. Some of these players still remember him for that.

Backs players:

Once enrolled into the team, Dada has the quality of backing his players. He doesn’t show them the door after a handful of failures. Instead he backs them and assures them their place in the team for a sufficient time to prove themselves.

Identifies abilities of a player:

Dada made Sehwag open the innings. And there hasn’t been a better opener since. Dada’s vision of identifying abilities of a player can help him in being a good coach.

Knows the job of a coach:

Dada, in his playing days, has had a lot of issues with coaches. According to him, it’s the captain who runs the show and the coach has to take the back seat. His experience with coaches and his motto ‘captain is the boss’ will help him in his coaching career.

Inculcates a winning mentally in the team:

During Dada’s tenure as a captain he changed the mentality of the team from being ‘Tigers at home, lambs overseas’. India became a strong team outside the subcontinent as well. He inculcated the winning mentality in the team. The present team also lacks this in my opinion. This quality of Dada can be another asset to him in his coaching career.

So, having served the nation for so long as an elegant left handed batsman and an extraordinary captain, Dada’s innings in cricket is not yet over. He may have more to give to Indian Cricket as a coach if BCCI feels he is capable enough. Many would argue that he is too controversial to be a coach and cannot take the backseat. But I would say after so many controversies that have followed him, he has still maintained his respect among players, media and the cricketing world. Having such qualities as he has, and India having a bad run overseas, you may see Dada transforming Indian cricket again. In a different role this time though,  as ‘The Coach that India needs’.

]]> http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/07/why-ganguly-can-be-the-coach-that-india-needs/feed/ 5 591623 http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/06/a-shot-at-redemption/ http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/06/a-shot-at-redemption/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:39:57 +0000 abeerligga http://www.sportskeeda.com/?p=691028

The team of ’75 that started it all!

The West Indies cricket team’s path is synonymous to that of Indian hockey. Through the 70′s till the early 90′s, the West Indies cricket team was one of the most feared and celebrated teams in world cricket be it Test or the limited overs format. The likes off  Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards, Gary Sobers, Haynes, Greenidge, Marshall, Holding, Roberts and later Walsh and Ambrose captured the imagination of the world  as world beaters. The men from the Caribbean won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979 and lost the 83′ final to the then underdogs India.

The ‘Rare Moment’ of success in 2004 Champions Trophy.

West Indies from such great heights has had a dreadful run since the  early 90′s. They have had greats like Lara, Chanderpaul,, Gayle ever since but haven’t been a force to be reckoned with like they once were. An odd blaze of glory such as the 2004 Champions Trophy triumph could  be termed a rare occasion. They have plummeted down the pit of non-existence in both formats of the game. The crowd in the West Indies has also declined and understandably so. Is there a way to revoke the passion of the fans? Can West Indies bring back the glory days of the past?? Yes, they can!

The T20 World Cup is the biggest hope for West Indies cricket in recent times. They have an ideal team for this format. West Indian players have a great experience of T20 cricket from the IPL and from their own league as well. They are as considered one of the front runners to lift the trophy. After a solid home series against New Zealand and a rejuvenated Chris Gayle in full flow, things seem to be heading in the right direction for the Windies.

Players that can make it happen

Chris Gayle:  The southpaw who has taken the IPL by storm and having sorted out his differences with the board, showed what he can do against the Kiwis . It will be important for him to perform as his success will depend on the success of the Windies. He is a match-winner and an army by himself. His bowling can also come in handy.

Marlon Samuels: Almost lost in the wilderness, Samuels has rediscovered himself and has had a fantastic run in all formats of the game since the last twelve months. His allround abilities would be essential specially on the turning tracks of Lanka as he is a fabulous player of spin and more than a useful bowler.

Dwayne Bravo: An enthusiastic, energetic and a whole- hearted cricketer and  an ideal shorter format cricketer. He’s an important cog in the wheel for the Windies with

his all round skills.

Kieron Pollard : A big hitter – when he hits it, it stays hit as they say. If he gets going, the opposition will be in trouble. He has made a name for himself in this format. Let’s

wait and see if he lives up to it.

Sunil Narine: A mystery bowler who troubled all in the IPL is a big weapon to have specially in Lankan conditions. He would be a real handful for the team and a

problem to the batsmen.

The team that can make it happen.

West Indies is a team filled with match winners and big hitters. If they click as a unit there is no team who can stop them. However on the flip side of the coin, they are an explosive team and all can go wrong for them too. It’s the unpredictable nature of the team and the nature of the format that would be a factor as well. It’s one thing being a formidable team but it’s a complete different thing when you have to go out and perform in the big stage as a team. Michael Holding is not a great fan of the T20 format and this writer belongs to the same school of thought as well. But a World Cup is a World Cup. And indeed, this is the best chance for the West Indies to have a shot at redemption of past glories. T20 is bit of a lottery, you never know, at the end of the World Cup, the world may be dancing to the ‘Beats of the Calypso!’

The U-19 team had good preparations for the tournament having won the quadrangular tournament in Australia few months prior to the World Cup and a joint Asia Cup win. Unmukt Chand, the captain was in the form of his life and was piling on the runs scoring tons in both the finals.

India played its first game of the U-19 World Cup against the West Indies on a seaming and swinging wicket in Townswille, Queensland. The top order was dislodged early but thanks to the gutsy innings by the little wicket-keeper Smit Patel who scored a half century and got India to a total of 167-8 which gave bowlers something to work with the given conditions. India lost the match – but though we lost the match what was heartening to see was India used up their full quota of 50 overs prepared to fight it out. The bowlers too strangled the Windies batsmen and made them work hard to earn a far from comfortable win by 4 wickets. India then breezed past Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea highlights being Kamal Passi’s 6 for and Ravikant Singh’s 5 for in respective matches. In The process, booking there place into the quarters.

In the quarters, India were to face arch rivals Pakistan: always an anticipated and high intensity clash at whatever level of cricket. The odds were stacked against India as they had won only one out of the 6 matches in U-19 World Cups prior to this. However, India struck 2 blows in the first over and thus set the pattern of the game. With breakthroughs at regular intervals, India bowled Pakistan out for 136.

India made hard work of it though losing 3 early wickets. Partnership between Zol and Aparajith stabilized things. But when Baba Aparajith was dismissed India still needed 17 with four wickets in hand. India lost 3 wickets in the space of 5 runs leaving the last pair of Harmeet and Sandeep to get 11 runs. Harmeet and Sandeep patiently, carefully and wisely got the job done as India scraped through a nail-biter to progress to the semis.

India had reached the semis but still there were some loop holes that needed addressing. The Indian top order had shown class in patches but was yet to click as a batting unit. The middle order lacked resolve and looked fragile. In the semis, India were up against the Kiwis. India batted first and got off to a solid start with Chand making 30 odd and Prashant Chopra registering a 50+ score.

India looked in a position to get to 240-250 score with wickets in hand but the middle order collapsed and India could only manage 209 for 9. Indian seamers started tightly building pressure and choking the runs resulting in a wicket. Harmeet then spun a web around New Zealand picking up quick wickets and drying the runs. The asking rate mounted and wickets fell regularly, ultimately resulting in a 9-run victory for India.

India had reached the finals. There 3rd final in d last 4 editions and suddenly the nation was starting to take notice and turn their heads towards the U-19 World Cup. In the finals, they met the Aussies. Australia had never lost an U-19 World Cup final. Would this be there first? Only time would tell.

Unmukt Chand won the toss and put Australia  in to bat. Sandeep struck twice early as Aussies were reduced to 37 for 4. A partnership between the skipper William Bosisto and Travis Head and later between Bosisto and Turner helped Australia get to a total of 225. It looked a steep chase considering the scores in the tournament. India began there chase with a hick up: Chopra caught down the leg side. But then Chand and Aparajith got together and stroked the ball elegantly and with confidence.

Chand was due for a big innings in the tournament. Maybe this day was what he was waiting for. However after Aparajith’s dismissal, 2 quick wickets fell. India were 95 for 4 when Smit Patel walked in to partner Chand. They both started rebuilding the innings slowly and steadily. They occupied the crease, however were lucky when the keeper dropped Chand when he was just past his fifty. In the last ten overs India needed 70 runs  with both of them well set. From there they were in control and started dominating. Chand was given another  life when Bosisto dropped him with 30 to get from about 4.2 overs. Chand cut lose getting to a century and winning the match with about with more then two overs to go. As they say diversity brings out the best in you. This was the case with Chand who finished 111 not out equally well supported by Smit who was 61 not out. India had created history. They had won the World Cup defeating the defending champs in their own backyard. It was time to celebrate.

Chand as a captain too was very proactive set attacking fields and invited the batsmen to have a go take risks and it paid off  all through the tournament.

India are the U-19 champions – at the pinnacle of power. What made this Indian performance so special?  They played as a team and everyone played their part to perfection. There was no single standout player who carried the team through. Moreover winning the World Cup in Australia beating Australia specially after seeing the drubbing that the Indian senior team got when they were here, speaks volumes of the achievement in itself. The players were preparing for this World Cup since about a year and over. That is eye catching and reflects hunger.

Virat’s team in 2008 announced India’s dominance in junior level cricket, Unmukt’s boys have reaffirmed the statement.

Some stars to look out for-

Sandeep Sharma: A very talented swing bowler, swings the ball both ways. Known to pick up early wickets. His brain is always ticking, a street-smart bowler.

Harmeet Singh: A classical slow left arm spinner more in the Bishan Singh Bedi mode. Flights the ball beautifully to get batsmen entangled. Lauded by Ian Chappell as the best slow left arm spinner in the world.

Baba Aparajith: A quality all-round cricketer. Good off spinner. Technically sound batsman of back foot as well as front foot and a terrific slip fielder.

Unmukt Chand: Last but not the least, the captain. Flamboyant and aggressive strokemaker; a bit like Virat Kohli – a man for the big occasions as shown in the final.