‘His approach was too harsh’ – Irfan Pathan on Greg Chappell’s coaching style
“He treated seniors and juniors with the same respect, but he was far more aggressive than what we were used to," said Irfan.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has shed light on why Greg Chappell’s strict coaching style did not align with Indian cricketing culture. Chappell’s stint as India’s head coach remains one of the most debated chapters in the team’s history.
He found himself at the centre of controversy following a public fallout with former captain Sourav Ganguly, which eventually led to Ganguly’s removal from the side and sparked widespread criticism. While Irfan’s career gained momentum during Chappell’s tenure, he was still not a regular fixture in the playing XI.
“He treated seniors and juniors with the same respect, but he was far more aggressive than what we were used to. He would openly tell anyone that if they didn’t perform, they would be dropped. I felt this approach was too harsh, so I spoke to him privately,” Irfan said on Lallantop show.
“I told him that we already know the consequences of not performing—he didn’t need to repeat it all the time. It was only creating insecurity within the team. At first, he got upset and used some strong words, but eventually, he realised I was right,” he added.
Irfan Pathan on why his international career was cut short
The left-hander admitted that while Chappell’s intentions were right, his attempt to introduce an Australian-style culture did not suit the Indian team. He noted that Chappell wanted the players to play hard cricket without paying much attention to their backgrounds. Irfan also reflected on his county stint, where he learned the importance of blending in with others and adapting to the team environment.
“If I go to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka or England as a coach, and if I don’t accept their culture, would their players accept me? Greg Chappell’s intention was right, but he wanted to bring an Australian culture. He wanted us to play hard cricket and didn’t care what background anyone came from. But you can certainly do it in a much better way,” said Irfan.
“I played for the Middlesex County club. You play a four-day match, then you drive the next day. They gather everyone in a bar before the match. I don’t drink, but I need to accept their culture. You are a part of the team, and you need to blend in. If Chappell hadn’t missed that one thing, he would’ve been one of the best coaches,” he added.
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