By ICF Staff
May 20 2005

Greg Chappell has been hired as coach of Indian cricket team, and expectations in India are already sky-high. He would be well-advised to avoid the inevitable pitfalls. It is easy to overestimate the impact of the coach in a game such as cricket. At the highest level, there is only so much he can do. The captain will always be the real leader, and in the end the players must deliver.

A coach cannot operate by remote control, nor should he try. Ultimately, it is the captain who must think on his feet and react in real time. Top class teams being reasonably well-matched -- and we are not including the likes of Zimbabwe or Bangladesh here -- coaching alone will not make a big difference.

However, what the coach can do is to ensure that the team prepares in the best manner possible, using the latest techniques and tools. He can shape the mindset of newer players. He can act as a sounding board for the senior players. And a world-class player and captain of his time will get far more respect than a marginal player (a big part of why Moody didn't get the job.)

Greg Chappell is an old hand at coaching, and is well aware of the areas where he can be most effective. What he does not know is India and Indians. Despite his high-profile international career in the past as batsman and captain, Chappell never played in India. But he is about to find out in a hurry. He has committed to spending most of his time in India or with the Indian team over the next two years.

Here is some advice for the coach:

• Ignore much of what you read in the media, but use the media as necessary. Few Indians believe all they read in the media, except for direct quotes. (FYI: Wisden Cricinfo is despised with a passion by the vast majority of Indian fans.)
• Avoid any heavy-handed "disciplinary" tactics regardless of what you hear, or it WILL backfire.
• Keep talking to, and encouraging, every team member. This is perhaps your most important area of contribution. Debrief Sandy Gordon if possible.
• Speak up on behalf of the players whenever they are dealt with unfairly. That will do wonders for their confidence, and you will win their loyalty in the bargain. You will get away with saying a lot more than they ever can.
• An overriding Indian motto is to live and let live. Address the "chalta-hai" attitude, or there's-always-another-day syndrome, on-field.
• Be crystal clear about your expectations, training or otherwise, and the cricketers will comply. Communication is everything; keep your Hindi-English dictionary handy, and it will help establish a rapport even with players who speak perfect English. If Brett Lee can learn Hindi, it can't be too hard!