Sandeep Patil believes in the theme of team. Even as a player, he played his strokes with flair, worked as a catalyst, and spurred on team success without achieving the individual greatness of, say, a Sunil Gavaskar or a Kapil Dev.
Not much has changed since. The essential team man has only been transformed into a players' coach. After a successful stint as coach of Kenya, he has helped the India 'A' side achieve a high level of consistency. And all this without wielding the whip of authority.
Patil took the boys to the shores of England and made the most of the job thrust upon him just weeks before the tour. The team returned home undefeated and the coach got a fair round of applause. But right now he is without a coaching assignment and seemingly disappointed about it.
In a chat with Deepti Patwardhan, Sandeep Patil gave his impressions of the England tour and the role it will play in deciding the players' fortunes. Excerpts:
How did the tour benefit the team and Indian cricket as a whole?
I think the directives given by the Board [of Control for Cricket in India] have been implemented, and at the end we had something to offer. The selectors probably were trying out players for slots that were vacant and [trying out] different combinations. This tour gave them the opportunity to concentrate on the fringe players, so that rather than having 15 players they now have 25 players to choose from.
And the players were rewarded by being chosen for the India camp held in Bangalore?
Which is a good thing. That the players were selected means there is continuity. The selectors are ready to give the players a longer run. I always believe that results are seen in the longer run.
Was the players' fitness up to international level?
Most of them were playing at the fag end of the domestic season, so obviously they were tired. You cannot expect 500 per cent fitness from them. They were not up to the fitness level of international standards, but I must say all of them were match-fit, apart from a few niggling injuries here and there. The team I coached seven years ago was a lot different.
What were the differences you saw?
The players are definitely more professional now. They are more aware of things like fitness and fielding. The commitment of this team was also very good.
Most of the players are regulars on the 'A' tours. The team must have gelled really well.
Yes. Building the team spirit was not a problem. The players have played a lot with and against each other. The camp [preceding the tour] and the series was important for me to get to know the players. Of all the players, I knew only [Tamil Nadu's Sridharan] Sriram really well and someone like Rohan Gavaskar, who has grown up in front of my eyes. It is very important for a coach to know all the players so that he can help in a player's progress. Coaches should be given longer stints so that they know exactly what each player needs and has to work on that. That's where I think [senior team coach] John [Wright] has been lucky. He has been given enough time by the BCCI to build a team.
What goals did the team set for itself? Do you think they achieved all of them?
For the 'A' teams, winning or losing is not important. It matters only to national sides. The 'A' team's competition is not against the teams they are playing, but the players in the national team. Their goal is to replace a Tendulkar or a Dravid. For someone like Sriram, who is eyeing the one-day opener slot, it is important that he outperforms Sachin, Sehwag or Ganguly. And most of the boys know where their chances lie.
Those will be the long-term objectives...
For Kenya the goal was the World Cup. Four years we worked towards it. The results haven't come overnight. But in India we lack vision. Our only goal is the upcoming Ranji Trophy or some Sharjah Cup. This 'A' team should be looking to replace the entire Indian side in the coming two years.
Do all the players have it in them to make it to the highest level?
Maybe not. I am not going to point fingers at anybody because everyone performed when given a chance. But international cricket is a completely different ball game. To perform at that level of competition and intensity they will have to begin all over again.
Which players do you think have a good chance of getting selected for the New Zealand series?
That's for the selectors to decide. It will obviously be a very big tour for all of them. All the players have the potential. Of the batsmen, all of them scored between 400 and 500 runs and all the bowlers took 15 to 17 wickets, so there is very little to choose from.
How was the team able to achieve such a level of consistency?
Yes, the team gave results consistently, but that shouldn't be a statement in itself. It was almost the same team that toured the West Indies and had to face a few defeats. That's cricket. You win some, you lose some. Just because this team didn't lose a single match does not mean they will achieve the same feat in the next tour.
What about the discipline in the side?
I am not a person who believes in applying curfews for players. I don't mind them going to discotheques or out with their girlfriends. You cannot hold up the players like that. They are responsible adults who know what is expected of them. But I must say that during the tour every single player was in his room after 9.30 or 10pm. I also believe that when you work hard throughout the day and are concentrating all the while, you don't have the energy to engage in such things.
What is your impression about S S Das as a captain?
He was very cool and led from the front. It is not easy for a captain to concentrate on his batting too, but he did that. Whenever the team was in a difficult position he pulled them through.
How did the tour help a player like Parthiv Patel?
It was very good that he was selected for this tour. He did not get any games during the World Cup, so this experience will come in handy. He is a phenomenal talent with the gloves, but he needs to calm down a bit in the batting department. He tries to do too many things while batting.
Where does the team lack?
Fielding is still a weakness. There is a lot of room for improvement in this area. I am all for a fielding coach. I think it is very important. We used to have fielding drills in Kenya and I have learnt a lot from them.
How has the tour benefited you as a coach?
It was a very satisfying series. The team played well, and against players like Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini. But I haven't achieved anything as a coach. The BCCI hasn't contacted me yet for any future coaching assignments. And even I have decided that I will not take up a job till the board gives me a decent run.
