Graeme Swann, the former England spinner, believes that there is no need for different coaches for T20 and limited overs formats in teams like India where players are not involved in such leagues all over the world.
Swann who was speaking at the launch of Legends Intercontinental T20 league on Thursday opined, “People based here whole year round. You don’t need split (separate) coaches.”
With fresh applications being invited by BCCI for the head coach’s position with Rahul Dravid unlikely to stay after the T20 World Cup, a strong contender has emerged in Gautam Gambhir – former Indian opener. Renowned foreign trainers as Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer or Andy Flower have withdrawn their names.
While Swann argued that England and Pakistan had embraced the idea of having two coaches each, he noted India doesn’t need it. “A good coach is a good coach; he’s the right man for all three forms so be it. If there is a white-ball specialist available then you can use him,” he added.
According to Parthiv Patel, a former wicketkeeper for India, his nation has many competent home-grown trainers and does not require any foreign recruitments. “There are a lot of coaches from NCA that have joined Indian team; I don’t see the need for overseas coaches,” Parthiv said.
He also pointed out how India’s Under-19 side triumphed and its A team fared abroad under Indigenous guidance. Chandrakant Pandit was also mentioned as an example of Indian coaching success by Parthiv.
Parthiv stressed that there exists more than two persons in this role as far as coaching staffs concerned: “We have seen when Rahul Bhai is coach, Laxman bhai filling in for him.Though it’s not just the two coaches as there are other NCA coaches.”
