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Patil: More freedom with Kenyans | Cape
Town: As a cricketer, Sandeep Patil was flamboyant. As coach, though, he didn’t
have a long run with India. For the past four years, however, he has been with
Kenya. Remembered as much for his stylish strokeplay as for banning cellphones
in the team bus and dressing room (when he was the India coach), Patil spoke to
The Telegraph at The Cullinan Thursday morning. The
following are excerpts On
the difference between coaching India (for six months in 1996) and Kenya (from
after the 1999 World Cup till now) (Grins)
In India, it was trying to help players who were already established... With Kenya,
it’s been trying to help players establish themselves... Obviously, there’s more
freedom working with a team like Kenya... Your views are accepted in a bigger
way, besides more respect for your experience. I’ve had a very happy four years. On
Kenyan cricket being dogged by controversies... From a crisis over the players’
pay to selection issues... Which team doesn’t
have problems? Things have been sorted out and, now that Kenya is in the Super
Six, things should get better. Personally, I’ve learnt to stay away from controversies...
I took the job because I saw it as a challenge and, clearly, I don’t have regrets.
Whatever I do, though, I’m sure I won’t stop learning. On
wanting to return to India It’s not because
I’ve got complaints... I’ve been away from the family and the time came for me
to take a decision... In any case, my contract is till this World Cup... Irrespective
of the level, I’ll be happy to serve the Board of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI). On whether, having once been the
India coach, a lesser assignment will actually satisfy him It
will, yes... I’m not going to demand a particular role. After all, a coach should
be happy with any job which gives him the opportunity to play a part in carrying
cricket forward. However, I do believe I couldn’t complete what I wanted to (in
1996). On the furore caused by the dropping
of Sourav Ganguly in the inaugural Sahara Cup, an act which cost him the coach’s
seat Look, seven years on, it’s not proper
for me to open my mouth... All I’ll say is that the tour selection committee —
of which the coach is a part — decides on who will play and who will be rested...
No coach ever takes decisions on his own... At that point in time, the committee
felt Vinod Kambli was more suited for the No. 6 slot... While I can’t take any
credit, nobody remembers that I was coach when Sourav got hundreds in each of
his first two Tests (in England)... On his
equation with Sourav There’s no problem.
In fact, when the occasion arose, I even explained my so-called Toronto role to
Sourav... Of course, I accept I didn’t see his potential when he was with the
India A side and I was its coach... It’s a mistake that I overlooked his talent...
Today, I’m happy that Sourav has proved me and so many others wrong. Like the
rest of India, I take pride in his achievements. On
whether that Sourav-related controversy was a good enough reason to remove him Look,
the BCCI has the right to appoint and remove coaches... I can’t complain. I also
appreciate that this is a result-oriented industry. (After a pause) If I may add,
John Wright deserves to be complimented for the hard work he has been putting
in. He has been criticised, but the critics must understand the coach can’t do
a thing once the boundary rope is reached... The players alone must faithfully
execute strategy. On whether he regards somebody
as a role model coach Ashok ‘Kaka’ Mankad
has been my mentor... Though he has turned to coaching, I interacted with him
when he was my Ranji captain... I’ve learnt everything from him... Devising a
gameplan, the manner of studying the opposition and getting the best out of the
players... I’m also indebted to Sunil Gavaskar. On
his approach to coaching Essentially, identifying
the strengths of my team and getting the players to focus on just that. Enjoyment
remains a key element, as nothing should be a chore for the boys. Basically, I
see myself as a guide. On Kenya always being
considered pushovers Well, even in this
World Cup, a commentator-friend (Navjyot Sidhu) — who himself struggled and made
so many comebacks — announced that the bigger teams would lick sides like Kenya
as they would candies... We’re carrying some (candies) and would love to present
them to him... We’ve proved him wrong and we’ve proved so many others wrong...
Mr Sidhu couldn’t stop us from making the Super Six. Agreed that we gained by
New Zealand not playing in Nairobi. Agreed we gained from rain affecting the West
Indies-Bangladesh game... But, then, should Kenya be faulted? Criticism must always
be constructive and, in time, this team will grow stronger. On
Kenya’s lack of exposure It’s so critical...
When we landed in Johannesburg, before the tournament, we had only played 12 ODIs
since the last World Cup... Amazing, yes, but that’s the harsh reality. So, unless
Kenya consistently gets opportunities, how will matters improve? Can any team
win the World Cup by playing 12 ODIs over four years? I hope our victory over
Sri Lanka will be the proverbial turning point and the International Cricket Council
will take note. On Bangladesh doing nothing
to justify their status as a Test-playing nation (After
a pause) I wouldn’t like to make a specific comment... But, it’s a fact that
many countries took a number of years to find their feet at the highest level.
If not tomorrow, Bangladesh will surely learn the day after. On
the present Indian team I wouldn’t like
to compare it with earlier sides... All I’ll say is that it has lots and lots
of potential. Finally, on being the No.1
star in the Kenyan contingent (Laughs)
The No. 1 star is Steve Tikolo, who is well supported by the remaining 14 members
in the squad. | 
