Patil: 'I would like to forget Kenya'
Sandeep Patil's appointment as India A coach for the tour of England has stirred much interest, not least because it comes on the heels of a long-drawn debate about the need for a foreign coach
Anand Vasu
21-Jun-2003
 |
Sandeep Patil: ready for a new challenge |
Sandeep Patil's appointment as India A coach for the tour of England has stirred much interest, not least because it comes on the heels of a long-drawn debate about the need for a foreign coach.
While several cricketers have lauded the efforts of the John Wright-led triumvirate of foreign staff, former Indian players have said time and again that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must look to an Indian coach for the long term. Is Patil's appointment the first step in that direction? What does he aim to achieve on this tour? Patil spoke to Wisden CricInfo, on the eve of his departure for England, on his coaching experiences and the assignment ahead of him.
What are your broad aims for India A on this tour?
To be very honest, I don't know anything. I'm just going on this tour. I've been given only this tour, so what happens after this I have no idea. I was not involved in the selection process. I've been given guidelines by the selectors and John [Wright], but I am not supposed to disclose those. What happens later or what policy the BCCI or the selectors have, I have no clue.
To be very honest, I don't know anything. I'm just going on this tour. I've been given only this tour, so what happens after this I have no idea. I was not involved in the selection process. I've been given guidelines by the selectors and John [Wright], but I am not supposed to disclose those. What happens later or what policy the BCCI or the selectors have, I have no clue.
The national team is still looking for openers, for more medium-pace back up. Have you set goals for individual players? Tell us a bit about some of the individuals.
All 16 look like India material. If John or the selectors look for replacements, naturally it will come from this lot. All 16 are match-fit, they've made their mark, they've represented India at different levels. This is an opportunity for them to enhance their chances of getting back into the big league.
All 16 look like India material. If John or the selectors look for replacements, naturally it will come from this lot. All 16 are match-fit, they've made their mark, they've represented India at different levels. This is an opportunity for them to enhance their chances of getting back into the big league.
You coached Kenya with some success. How did that stint prepare you for something like coaching India A?
Kenya I would like to forget. I don't want to comment on Kenya. It's over, it's the past and I don't give importance to the past. It was a dream come true for any coach and in that sense I am happy about it. For me this new responsibility, particularly this tour, is important. It's not only an opportunity for the players, it's an opportunity for me also. If I have to work for the BCCI on merit, the BCCI will be looking into my performance.
Kenya I would like to forget. I don't want to comment on Kenya. It's over, it's the past and I don't give importance to the past. It was a dream come true for any coach and in that sense I am happy about it. For me this new responsibility, particularly this tour, is important. It's not only an opportunity for the players, it's an opportunity for me also. If I have to work for the BCCI on merit, the BCCI will be looking into my performance.
You got the job as coach of India A for the tour of England almost as soon as you came back. Did you expect it to happen so soon?
Not at all. It was a pleasant surprise. I thought it would take a year or so. Maybe the BCCI has thought on this level. They must have had some plan about it.
Not at all. It was a pleasant surprise. I thought it would take a year or so. Maybe the BCCI has thought on this level. They must have had some plan about it.
You've coached at different levels. The A team is a bit different in that its composition will change often. What's the key to coaching A teams?
Man management. Working with established players and working with players who are trying to establish themselves are two different concepts. From (the) Under-15 (level) upwards to the A team, there are different levels of thinking. Fortunately I've worked with India A before and also seen a lot of A teams coming on tour to Nairobi in the last four years. You have to make sure that the backward step players have taken, coming down to India A after playing for India, is reversed and they take the forward step once more.
Man management. Working with established players and working with players who are trying to establish themselves are two different concepts. From (the) Under-15 (level) upwards to the A team, there are different levels of thinking. Fortunately I've worked with India A before and also seen a lot of A teams coming on tour to Nairobi in the last four years. You have to make sure that the backward step players have taken, coming down to India A after playing for India, is reversed and they take the forward step once more.
The methods of coaching cricket are changing almost rapidly as cricket itself. In what way have you updated yourself?
It's a computer thing now. This is a high-tech game and the facilities made available to coaches are tremendous and I've also started using them. From Kenya to the latest camp I've done video analysis of various players and I'm using a laptop for this. This (the technology) is here to stay and it's a great help for the coaches. I'm not saying that you should depend on video analysis, but it does come in handy.
It's a computer thing now. This is a high-tech game and the facilities made available to coaches are tremendous and I've also started using them. From Kenya to the latest camp I've done video analysis of various players and I'm using a laptop for this. This (the technology) is here to stay and it's a great help for the coaches. I'm not saying that you should depend on video analysis, but it does come in handy.
You've already worked a bit with these techniques then?
Yes, in Kenya itself. Then I was involved with Bob Woolmer also, whenever he used to visit. It is the in-thing and every coach uses it now. At the press of one button, you have whatever information you want.
Yes, in Kenya itself. Then I was involved with Bob Woolmer also, whenever he used to visit. It is the in-thing and every coach uses it now. At the press of one button, you have whatever information you want.
Recently you had said that you've developed your own style as a coach ...
I don't know about that.
I don't know about that.
Well, some coaches tend to rely heavily on technology ... others prefer a more personal approach. What's your style?
It should be a mixture of your own experience and the tools available. Every coach has his own style - his working style, talking style and that sort of thing. But basically it's about man management. How you motivate people as a team and as individuals. On tour, different things happen and you have deal with them.
It should be a mixture of your own experience and the tools available. Every coach has his own style - his working style, talking style and that sort of thing. But basically it's about man management. How you motivate people as a team and as individuals. On tour, different things happen and you have deal with them.
Has the BCCI, and Indian cricket in general, been quick enough to embrace technology and modern techniques?
They certainly have. They have John, a fitness trainer, a dietician working with them and this has been followed for the last four years. The thinking is right, and the BCCI is moving in the right direction.
They certainly have. They have John, a fitness trainer, a dietician working with them and this has been followed for the last four years. The thinking is right, and the BCCI is moving in the right direction.
Some people like to emphasise cricket skills rather than physical aspects ...
It depends what time of the year you're in and on the tours you're going to go on. You have to have a program. I can't talk about this because I don't know what kind of program the BCCI has for me and what assignments I'll get. Unless and until you know what your program is, you can't work out any kind of plan.
It depends what time of the year you're in and on the tours you're going to go on. You have to have a program. I can't talk about this because I don't know what kind of program the BCCI has for me and what assignments I'll get. Unless and until you know what your program is, you can't work out any kind of plan.
For a cricketer, the aspiration would be to move from Under 19s to state cricket to India A and then to the National side. You've done just that as a coach. Would it be fair to say that's a natural progression in this avatar too?
I have had a lot of experience behind me. I've seen both the ups and downs. I've had my failures and my successes. But then you have to draw the line - whether you're trying to promote yourself or help the cause, which is Indian cricket. Today, I'm not saying that I've reached a particular stage. But I'm learning and I'll keep learning. I find coaching very interesting and I'm trying to make a career out of it. I take it very seriously and in the last ten years that I've spent coaching I've learned so much.
I have had a lot of experience behind me. I've seen both the ups and downs. I've had my failures and my successes. But then you have to draw the line - whether you're trying to promote yourself or help the cause, which is Indian cricket. Today, I'm not saying that I've reached a particular stage. But I'm learning and I'll keep learning. I find coaching very interesting and I'm trying to make a career out of it. I take it very seriously and in the last ten years that I've spent coaching I've learned so much.
So it would be fair to say that this should end in you becoming the national coach?
I've never eyed anything. Things have come my way all along. I'm very happy that I'm back in Indian cricket. I've gone on record saying that I'm happy so long as I'm helping Indian cricket - whether it is at the Under-15 level or at the highest level.
I've never eyed anything. Things have come my way all along. I'm very happy that I'm back in Indian cricket. I've gone on record saying that I'm happy so long as I'm helping Indian cricket - whether it is at the Under-15 level or at the highest level.