Gaekwad wants longer term for coaches

Anshuman Gaekwad, reappointed for two tours as India coach, on Thursday suggested that coaches be given a longer term for positive results.

The former India opener, who took over the 10-day camp in Madras, in preparation for the ICC World Cup knock-out tournament in Nairobi next month, declined to comment on the board's move to appoint a foreign coach.

"It is the BCCI's decision, but one should also keep in mind the past performance," he told reporters.

He said he accepted the job for the two tours (in Nairobi and Sharjah) on BCCI president A C Muthiah's request since he "considered it a national cause".

"I did not want to accept the interim appointment. I had to consider the recent happenings also before accepting the post of coach."

Gaekwad said he could not comment on the appointment of a foreign coach as he himself is holding the post and anything he said is likely to be misconstrued.

He ruled himself out of taking up the job as assistant coach, as he had been the team coach for two years.

On the morale of players following the match-fixing allegations, he said, "It is troubling cricket and it troubles me a lot. We have to be optimistic and I have told the boys to forget the past. Once we get to winning ways, this will be put in proper place."

Mail Cricket Editor