The challenge, he said, was selling the vision

In one of his few full-length interviews since taking over as coach, given to The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta on NDTV 24×7’s Walk The Talk programme in July, Chappell spelt out his biggest challenge ahead: ‘‘selling the vision and the commitment to excellence’’.

Through the interview, whenever he was asked about the prospects of the current team, he stressed about the need for hard work not just in one match but every match, every day.

‘‘To be a champion team takes more than just putting 11 good players on the field and hoping that they are going to do well. There’s a lot more to it, there’s a lot of hard work that goes in behind the scenes, in the preparations, and then in the execution.’’

Even when talking of the great Australian and West Indian teams, he stressed on the fact that it was more than just talent that brought them success. If it was hunger for the West Indies, it’s the commitment of the second-level for Australia.

In light of that, and given his statements on Saturday about raising the bar further, it’s clear Chappell knows his mind and has a vision. Now the players will have to decide whether they want to buy into that.