Former cricketer Venkat Sunderam suggests India doesn't require a coach

Former Indian cricketer Venkat Sunderam, who has represented both Delhi and Tamil Nadu, believes the Indian cricket team does not need a coach, instead, require a manager for administrative work. The spot of the head coach remains vacant now that Anil Kumble has decided to resign from the post, looking at the ‘untenable’ relationship with the team.

Before India commenced their campaign in the Champions Trophy, news of rift within the Indian team, between players and coach started to surface which shocked the entire Indian cricketing fraternity. As soon as the multilateral tournament concluded, Kumble tweeted his resignation letter in spite of the CAC re-appointing him as the head coach of the team.

Looking at the recent developments, Sunderam commented that players should be capable enough at the international level to administer themselves. “Now that Anil Kumble has stepped down, there is a need to review whether a coach is required. A national team should have players capable of fine-tuning their game and equating the requirements to different formats,” said Venkat Sunderam according to Deccan Chronicle. He later augmented about the fact that coaching is only necessary at the grass root level and once a player crosses the international barrier, the only input instructed should be motivational.

Sunderam questions the need of a super coach

“India needs no coach because a renowned coach (like Ramakant Achrekar and a few others) can groom the players at the young age. Once the players reach a higher level, they play in Under-19, Under-23 teams, etc. After that, they play in different countries and on various pitches. Now, only motivation can make them retain their game at the top level, If the captain does not need a player like Kumble, BCCI should ask Kohli, which coach would he prefer?” asked the national pitch consultant.

When questioned about why the other teams do have national coaches, Sunderam replied by saying, “Their players are not Lords to oppose like India. We have specialist coaches in the spheres of batting, bowling and fielding. What is the need of having a super coach above them? We should only have a manager for the administrative work,” concluded Venkat Sunderam.