Gaekwad's Press ``Performance'' (16 August 1999)
CricInfo's roving reporter Anand Vasu reports from the Indian Team's camp at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
16-Aug-1999
16 August 1999
Gaekwad's Press "Performance"
CricInfo
The Indian coach meets the press
CricInfo's roving reporter Anand Vasu reports from
the Indian Team's camp at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
The Indian team will leave on the 20th of August to take on Sri Lanka
and Australia for the AIWA Cup. A four-day preparatory camp got under
way in Chennai today. At the end of a routine practice session the
Indian Coach Anshuman Gaekwad spoke to the press in an informal
setting. The atmosphere was relaxed as Gaekwad spoke about how "the
boys" were enjoying a well deserved rest after a gruelling season of
One-day cricket.
When asked about the purpose of the camp, the coach said that four
days hardly constituted a camp. Gaekwad said that the camp was
designed to get the team together and forge a winning
combination. When asked about the team's morale after a somewhat
disappointing World Cup showing, Gaekwad said that the World Cup was a
thing of the past and that it was a forgotten matter. He added that
the Indian team had not done all that badly in the World Cup. He felt
that all they lacked was consistency.
Gaekwad said that he looked forward to the forthcoming tours of Sri
Lanka and Singapore. "The team's morale is high and the bowling is
shaping up well," he said. Gaekwad added that the balance of the team
was just right for a One-Day tournament. He suggested that it was
unlikely that there would be any change in the batting order, as there
was no need to change a settled combination.
When asked whether Vinod Kambli's return to the side was a sign
that Tendulkar had a greater say in the team selection, Gaekwad was
quick to respond with a resounding "No." He added that such a line of
thought was not right, as Kambli had been a part of the side even at
Sharjah recently. Gaekwad said that it was only injury that kept
Kambli out of the side.
All in all, the mood in the Indian camp is very upbeat. The coach
exuded confidence, and the players all seemed very relaxed through
their exercises.
Source :: CricInfo