His year in office

His only comfortable Test series wins were against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, both struggling to improve their rankings on the ICC chart. With talk of World Cup 2007 featuring in almost all of Chappell’s conversations, the big question is whether the Aussie’s focus is one-dimensional.

Says former Indian coach Ajit Wadekar, ‘‘Basically, the importance has shifted to one-day cricket and Test cricket remains neglected. Every other day talk of World Cup takes centrestage, so in this atmosphere, Test cricket becomes a casualty.’’

Wadekar also blames certain strategical errors for the Test debacle. ‘‘In Tests, they are placing right people in wrong fielding positions resulting in a number of dropped catches. For instance, Yuvraj Singh, in the Mumbai Test against England, was placed in close-in positions, while he is good at the cover and point regions,’’ he says.

The silver lining, though, is the emergence of fast bowlers. Though India still lacks tearaway pacers, a pre-requisite in Tests, the considerable crowd in the bench could help India overcome the deficit. “The bench strength is improving, we just need to be patient with them. Once they gain experience, it will help India in the long run,’’ says Wadekar.

BEYOND THE SUB-CONTINENT?

Besides, over the last one year, India has not had a major assignment outside the sub-continent (except the Zimbabwe tour). India lost the only one-day tournament they played outside the sub-continent—the tri-series also featuring New Zealand and Zimbabwe), early in Chappell’s tenure. Now as India begins their Windies campaign, it’s Chappell biggest test ever.

Aunshuman Gaekwad, former India coach backs the current scheme. ‘‘They are playing exceedingly well. To win against Pakistan in Pakistan (ODIs) is no child’s play. So sub-continent or outside it shouldn’t be a problem for Chappell and Co.’’

Says Dilip Vengsarkar, ‘‘Conditions out in the Caribbean is not different to what it is here as the their team is not doing well, too.’’ And of course, India return to West Indies for the World Cup in 2007.

JOHNVS vs GREG
First year face-off between Greg Chappell and John Wright:

Wright, Year 1

Tests: 5 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws

• Zim in India: won series 1-0

• Aus in India: won series 2-1

• India in Zim: Drew series 1-1

• India in SL: Lost series 1-2

• India in SA: Lost series 0-1

ODIs: 16 wins, 13 losses

• Zim in India: Won series 4-1

• Aus in India: Lost series 2-3

• Ind-Zim-WI in Zim: Lost final to West Indies (won all four league matches)

• Ind-SL-NZ in SL: Lost final to SL (3 wins, 3 losses in league)

• Ind-SA-Kenya in SA: Lost final to SA (3 wins, 3 losses in league)

Period: November 2000-November 2001

CHAPPELL, YEAR 1
TESTS: 5 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws

• India in Zim: Won series 2-0

• SL in India: Won series 2-0

• India in Pak: Lost series 0-1

• Eng in India: Drew series 1-1

ODIs: 23 wins, 11 losses, 2 abandoned

• Ind-SL-WI in SL: Lost finals to SL (2 wins, 2 losses in league)

• Ind-NZ-Zim in Zim: Lost final to New Zealand (3 wins, 1 loss in league)

• SL in India: Won series 6-1

• SA in India: Drew series 2-2 (one abandoned)

• India in Pak: Won series 4-1

• Eng in India: Won series 5-1 (one abandoned)

• Ind-Pak in Abu Dhabi: Drew series 1-1

Period: May 2005 to April 2006

WHAT THEY SAY

• Chappell’s forthright approach has put the players on their toes and they know that if they do not perform, they will be out of the team. Whereas Wright was a silent guy, but carried out his work efficiently

—Ajit Wadekar

• Chappell is any day superior. Wright had the advantage of playing with Sachin, Sourav and Dravid in their prime. But Chappell has a very young team. Unlike Wright, he has the guts to take risk

—Dilip Vengsarkar

• Chappell’s assessment of players has been brilliant and knows his bunch of players whom he can experiment with, giving him more options

—Aunshuman Gaekwad