India coach selection: The Whole Nine Yards

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Early 2014 saw the Republic of India go into a frenzy. Unlike most events, this frenzy wasn’t about the ‘Big Three’ things that sell in India. It wasn’t Bollywood. It wasn’t cricket, neither was it a religion. Narendra Modi had run his Prime Minister’s campaign well. For me, one of the most important aspects of his election was the simple fact that he was able to reach out to the youth of India. While that discussion is for another day, what concerns me is the book written by journalist Rajdeep Sardesai.

His book, titled “The Election that changed India” has some compelling points. By comparing it to the previous elections, Sardesai proved that Modi did indeed become somewhat of a ‘Fan’s favorite’ in terms of the 2014 electoral campaign.

In something of a weird similarity between the two, the selection of the Indian coach has never before received such publicity. Even if one of the 57 coaching candidates goes to the washroom to take a leak, there will certainly a prominent publication will do a piece on it. Having set aside certain criteria for their funneling process, the BCCI has taken its time for the same.

The job of the Indian coach is a high-profile job. There is certainly no doubt about that. The Indian coach is always viewed as the be all and end all off of the Indian cricket team. Moreover, it is a thankless job. In spite of the send-off Gary Kirsten got when he left, the rest of India’s coaches have seen out their contract and in most cases have not extended it.

Also read – 5 Front runners to be appointed the coach of the Indian team

Apart from the publicity, the process has received in the recent past, the screening process to has been in the news for a long time now. Recycling reports of coaches who have applied in the past to sources stating different legends linked to the job, polls asking the public for their choice of the next coach all did its rounds until that fateful moment when Ajay Shirke brought in a stern amendment in the rules. Although it wasn’t a mandatory aspect, Shirke stated that it was important that the new coach spoke the local language.

And just like that, in the minds of most journalists, the likes of Dean Jones, Brad Hodge, and Daniel Vettori had to effectively pack their bags and head home. However, there was much more to what was going to happen. After trimming the list to reportedly 21 names, nine names were left as far as the Cricket Advisory Committee was concerned.

Also read – 5 Big names who didn’t apply for the coach’s post of the Indian team

After a day or two of presentations and a Skype call from Thailand, there is one name on everybody’s lips. That name is Anil Kumble. It seems as though the country has already picked India’s next coach before the BCCI has even reviewed the presentations of the candidates.

Well, whoever it is, he will always have my wishes to do well. However, was all the publicity for the coach needed? I never really saw it happening when Darren Lehmann or Mike Hesson became the coach. The publicity became unnecessary when Mickey Arthur became the coach of Pakistan. Because, at the end of the day, it is important to realize that a coach is just a facilitator and a man-manager, not the Alpha and Omega of the team.

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