quot;We did not play negativequot;

Nagpur, Dec 1: His first assignment as a coach brought Anshuman Gaekwad more brick bats than bouquets. The selector-turned-coach was critic...

Nagpur, Dec 1: His first assignment as a coach brought Anshuman Gaekwad more brick bats than bouquets. The selector-turned-coach was criticised after the drawn Test at Mohali for not adopting an attacking game. But the criticism has made Gaekwad feel that the cricket buffs in India need to be educated more about the game.

Setting aside the slow-motion batting8217; accusation, Gaekwad observes that there is a gigantic difference between the perception of the game by the players 8212; who slog on the field 8212; and one who watches the action from beyond the fence.

The Indian coach talked on various other issues during an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q: First you were a selector and now a coach. What is the difference do you find between the two assignments?A:Coaching is a different job altogether. It8217;s more interesting than a selector8217;s role, who just picks up the players of his choice. A coach needs to be completely involved with his players and guide them in the right direction. You need to attend to every player8217;s need in the squad individually which is not an easy job. If you have played a lot of international cricket, it helps you to certain extent.

: How was your first experience as a national coach ?

A:It was fantastic. I have got a good team which tried their best to surge ahead in the series. Unfortunately things didn8217;t work out in our favour.

Q: Don8217;t you believe that the way Lankans opted to play in the last Test would kill spectators8217; interest in the longer version of the game?

A: I won8217;t comment on the Lankans8217; approach. I feel, that there are certain teams which prefer to play with their limitations. I am of the opinion that the pitch plays a vital role as far as spectators8217; interest is concerned. If it is a result-oriented track, it naturally helps cricketers, who certainly play to win. If the wicket is not favorable, the things go the other way. Hence, I think, the team management should not be blamed for curtailing the enjoyment that Test cricket offers.

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Q: There is a general feeling that we could have easily won the Mohali Test. What do you have to say about it?

A: There was not a single stage when we went for negative gameplan. The situation at Mohali demanded the design that we adopted. Why don8217;t they understand that there was no need to go for runs when we were lagging by some 150 runs with top order cooling their heels in the dressing room? I think there was no need to hurry and lose wickets8230;

Q: Mohali track was helpful to the fast bowlers and you did not include Venktesh Prasad. To what extent was it justified on part of the team management?

A: You are right. Mohali track does help the fast bowler. Unfortunately, it did not help our pacers after we put Lanka in to bat. In fact, we wanted to use Suarav Ganguly as medium pacer.

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Q: Then why was Ganguly not played in that much?

A: Since the track was not helping other pacers, we decided not to bowl him extensively.

Q: Should the Indian team have a foreign coach and physio?

A: It has become a fashion to hire coaches from other countries. I think India shouldn8217;t follow that suit because there is no dearth of good coaches in our country. I don8217;t mind if we hire a foreign physio.

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Q: Do you think that only those who have played Test cricket should form the National selection panel?

A: It8217;s board8217;s policy. Let them decide on that issue.