‘I still don't claim Kapil Dev is my product’- Legendary coach Gurcharan Singh slams ‘wrong practice’ in India

Renowned cricket coach, Gurcharan Singh, who was conferred with Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cricket recently, stated that coaches should never take credit for the success of their students. Drawing an example of the world cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, the 87-year-old mentioned that he never claimed him to be his product as it’s fundamentally not correct.

Notably, the veteran has played a massive part in developing cricketers like Ajay Jadeja, Murali Kartik, Kirti Azad, and Maninder Singh in the past. He also represented Patiala and Eastern Punjab State Unions, Patiala, Railways, and Southern Punjab during his playing days. Overall, he played 37 First Class games before becoming a professional coach.

Now, while speaking to Hindustan Times, Gurcharan Singh mentioned that even if athletes just attend the training and simple practice sessions, various coaches claim that the athlete is their product and according to him, that needs to change immediately.

“In cricket coaching, a coach needs to keep his fundamentals right. If athletes just attend the training and simple practice sessions, various coaches claim that the athlete is their product.It's (practice) completely wrong, even Kapil (Dev) had been attending my coaching camps in Bombay, I still don't claim he is my product, he is from Chandigarh and he is a product of DP Azad.

Every coach has a different technique of coaching, the length of the bat is the same, the width of the bat is the same, but techniques of the coach is what differs,” said the veteran.

Cricket in the country has changed a lot: Gurcharan Singh

Since the introduction of T20 cricket, the game has evolved and changed a lot and Gurcharan Singh has been a part of this evolution. He acknowledged the change and believes that it has happened for good.

“Cricket in the country has changed a lot but the change is for the good,” the 87-year-old added. Notably, he is only the second cricket coach after Desh Prem Azad, who has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award.

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