IPL-8: When players return as coaches
As IPL 8 unfolds it won't just be players who are under the spotlight -- the glare of scrutiny will also be on high-profile ex-stars who hold important coaching positions with franchise teams.
Ricky Ponting-- an all time great of the game -- starts a new innings at Mumbai, he heads a coaching team that includes Jonty Rhodes, Shane Bond, Anil Kumble, Paras Mhambrey, Robin Singh and several others. Ponting post retirement moved effortlessly into the commentators booth, and now has an interesting opportunity to leverage his vast experience and also develop his skills in a new field.
No less fascinating is the case of Daniel Vettori, part of New Zealand's team in the CWC final the other day in Melbourne, now headed for Bangalore as RCB's chief coach. Having retired from cricket after a memorable World Cup, Vettori has made a clear choice about the way forward as he has also accepted a coaching role in the Big Bash. Ponting and Vettori join Stephen Fleming (at Chennai) and Gary Kirsten (at Delhi) in an elite group of star coaches in the IPL.
Indian stars are also in somewhat similar positions but, till now, have only taken small, hesitant steps in this direction. Ravi Shastri is not coach, only Team Director with the Indian team, whatever that might mean. Rahul Dravid, again, is team mentor with the Royals not coach. But regardless of the title he is pretty much switched on, not any remote adviser/consultant. Dravid attends practise sessions, works closely with players and has an important voice in selection and team strategy.
Compared to this I-will-get-my-hands-dirty approach, Tendulkar with Mumbai Indians and Laxman at Sunrisers Hyderabad play a less active role. They are not coaches or mentors in the real sense, more like non-official directors appointed to the board to add a certain credibility and dignity.
When the IPL started all franchisees picked foreign coaches, a move Sunil Gavaskar criticised thinking it be a colonial hangover and another example of our obsession for the fair-skinned. The "master" disapproved of large support staff, he questioned the need of hiring so-called experts who added little value. He observed critically that the only work the support staff does is create an atmosphere that justifies their existence!
Eight years down the line huge support staffs still exist, and instead of a cutback with some teams, their numbers have actually grown. The difference however is the emergence of the Indian ex-player as coach. Leading this pack is Sanjay Bangar the boss at Kings XI Punjab, a position he inherited from Darren Lehman. Sanjay is savvy and sensible, a respected pro with a stable head and clear ideas.
There are others, in junior positions currently but quickly moving up the ladder. Vijay Dahiya, with KKR for many years, is known for his sharp insight and smart understanding. Pravin Amre, earlier with Pune, has shifted allegiance to Delhi. He was largely responsible for Mumbai's resurgence in Ranji and is a personal coach/mentor to Robin Uthappa, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina.
India coaches may fail to produce the best power point presentation or repeat the latest management buzz words in a team meeting. But Bangar, Dahiya, Amre and others know their stuff, especially when it comes to intelligence about Indian players and Indian conditions.