Optimistic Gaekwad not in favour of foreign coach

The word interim has become synonymous with Indian cricket. If one eagerly waits for CBI's interim report, the interim Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad has given an indication that he is not in favour of India hiring a foreign coach.

Gaekwad, who took over as national coach from Kapil Dev at short notice while talking to reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday said "it is the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) prerogative to hire a foreign coach,'' but he also felt that with the present Indian team peaking and with the spirits soaring ``so what more can be expected with a foreign coach."

Gaekwad made it clear that when he was offered the job, it was only for two tours and thereby ruled himself out of the race. He also denied that he was interested in taking over as assistant coach. Instead, he maintained there was no need of a foreign coach but added that if such a decision has been taken by the BCCI, it was only out of their interest for the game in the country.

Asked what went wrong in the ICC KnockOut final against New Zealand, Gaekwad said "The ground was small, the outfield was very fast and the pitch was perfect for batting and on it we made about 40 to 50 runs less." He added "Both Sachin and Sourav (Ganguly) had given the team a flying start and we were hoping for a score of 300-310 before the two run outs took place in quick succession and we could manage just a few runs in the end." To a question on why Venkatesh Prasad, who bowled quite well in the game did not complete his full quota, Gaekwad replied "Yes, I think Venky should have been given his full quota of ten overs as he had just conceded 20 runs from his first six overs and had also picked up two crucial wickets."

The 48-year-old former Indian opening batsman however felt that the team performed very well against all odds. He opined that "Our boys performed brilliantly and there was a marked improvement in all departments of the game including fielding. We did a world of good for our reputation by beating world champions Australia and a talented outfit like South Africa quite convincingly in our earlier matches but slipped at the last hurdle."

Showering praise on debutantes Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, Gaekwad said "It was heartening to see the youngsters play without any pressure in their first outing on foreign soil for the country.''

Remaining optimistic about the young side's chances, the former Baroda captain said "I think the team is moving in the right direction and when we play positively, we are always a hard team to beat. The best thing for the players is to put the defeat behind them and concentrate on the next assignment. There is no point in worrying about the past as the present team could do wonders in the years to come."

Gaekwad was of the view that with so many talented youngsters in the side, the fielding aspect has gained tremendous boost ``and I hope it will continue to blossom in the years to come. On India's chances in the forthcoming Coca Cola Champions Trophy at Sharjah, Gaekwad said "we have a very good chance and if our boys play the same way they played in Nairobi, then I don't see why we cannot win it."

As a quote by industrialist Henry Ford says "Coming together is a beginning, Staying together is progress, Working together is success.'' Unfortunately for Gaekwad, he cannot live upto this quote as he has to hand the mantle over to a foreign coach at a time when the Indian team has started coming together and playing as a unit for the first time in years.