Fitness, fielding top priority: Gaekwad

He added that he would not impose any “unnecessary restrictions” on the players, “as they also need to relax, considering the pressures of the game. But if at all I find that they are not giving their 100 per cent on the field, the discipline aspect would come into the picture.”

Gaekwad, former Test player and national selector, said his job was of “man management” and he would therefore “observe and study the boys and their habits on and off the field, and their performance on the ground. I will try to understand the boys better than what I already do, their problems, their needs, study their likings and dislikings, so that I can get the best out of them”.

He said the team has tremendous potential and they have proved it, but the only problem was that of consistency. “I will try to help the boys sort out their physical, technical and mental problems, and with time I am sure we will get better results.”

Considering the high level of international fitness standards, Gaekwad said his first priority would be to work on the fitness level of the players as well their fielding.

The idea of appointing a physical trainer, he said, was “excellent” and it was sure to yield better results.

Asked whether he would introduce any innovations, he said he did not believe in too many experiments, “as the game of cricket remains the same, and as long as you have the basics clear you can tackle any situation. So I am going to concentrate more on the basics.”

He did not think that match fixing allegations would have affected the players psychologically. “Unless they are proved, I don’t think they would affect the boys, and nothing has been proved so far,” he said.

Magnanimous in his assessment of Madan Lal, the outgoing manager, Gaekwad said he served for “too short a time to produce results. Knowing Madan, I’m sure he did everything to see that the Indian team performed well.”

He said a coach needed time to understand the boys and get them to take him into confidence. “A coach should be appointed for a minimum of two years, because by the time you get to know the boys your term is over, and it’s not fair.”

When pointed out that he too was appointed for only one year, he smiled and said, “That’s right. That’s why I have to act, react very quickly and get things working as soon as possible.”