Sandeep Patil and Gautam Gambhir (PC: X)
Sandeep Patil recounted his conversation with Sachin Tendulkar. About 11 years ago, when he was the chief selector, Patil had to take the biggest/toughest call of his tenure as a selector. The five wise men were looking beyond the ‘master blaster’ as far as the Indian team was concerned. But Tendulkar wanted to continue. A conversation ensued and eventually, the legendary batsman decided to call it quits.
“I did speak with him (Tendulkar) with my colleague Rajinder Singh Hans at Nagpur,” Patil said, speaking to RevSportz. “See, the selectors can’t ask any player to retire. The selectors can tell a player that he is not doing well in this department or that department, and drop him. So we asked Sachin (about his future plans) and he said ‘no’ (not planning to quit). But we felt that, in accordance with the coach and captain, we have to look at the future. And then, Sachin himself decided (to hang up his boots).”
When Patil was the chief selector, he had to oversee a transition in the Indian team. And from his personal experience, he can feel that the new India coach, too, will face a tough time, with transition on the anvil. Patil served as the Indian team head coach as well and knows the best of both worlds.
A new coach will take charge of the Indian team in July and if things go to plan, Gautam Gambhir looks a shoo-in to replace Rahul Dravid. The new coach’s term will be until December 31, 2027 and with so many players in the Indian team in their mid-or-late-thirties, transition appears to be round the corner. Does Patil, the explosive batsman of the 1980s and a World Cup winner, back Gambhir to be successful if he takes over?
“Well, it’s mainly up to Rohit Sharma and the senior players in the team, and the BCCI officials (to decide) whether this is the right choice,” said Patil. “Gautam has done exceptionally well as a player, as a captain and as a mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders (and Lucknow Super Giants). But he hasn’t coached any other team (at any level). Now, when you appoint him (as India coach), you are appointing him for Test cricket and 50-over cricket as well (apart from T20Is). So, are we looking into those areas also?”
Gautam Gambhir (Source: X)
Patil spoke about Gambhir the person. “He is a lovely chap. I was happy that I got a chance to work with him throughout his (playing) career. I’m sure, if given a chance, he will do a good job.”
For an India coach, successful man management has to be his biggest attribute. The Indian dressing room is full of prima donnas and handling them is not easy. “Yeah, it’s difficult,” Patil agreed. “Players who are trying to establish themselves and the players who are established; you have to manage them differently. You cannot talk to the two sets of players in the same language. And that’s where the experience of coaching comes in. I was lucky enough (to make gradual progress). I started with India U-19, then graduated to India A and then I got a chance to coach the Indian senior side, where there were too many problems other than cricket.”
How about handling the big egos? “Ego is everywhere. Ghar, ghar mein ego hai (there’s ego at every home). It’s not easy to handle egos. Ravi (Shastri) was successful. Gary Kirsten was successful. John Wright was successful. Rahul Dravid is successful. Greg Chappell unfortunately failed. It depends on every coach and his personality,” said Patil.
In his first team talk as KKR mentor, Gambhir made it clear that there would be no senior-junior in the team. Everyone would be equal. He is someone who can take the star culture head-on. And there’s a possibility that he will rock the boat if he becomes the India coach. Patil, though, refused to read too much into that. “Well, talking is one thing and doing the job is another thing. I hope he is given the opportunity and he does well.”
As regards to transition, Patil urged the BCCI to give the new coach enough time to oversee that. At the moment, the 67-year-old is busy mentoring the Shrachi Rarh Tigers team in the Bengal Pro League, which is a Shrachi Sports venture, encouraged by the company’s managing director Rahul Todi.