The Hindu : `India A team has enough opportunities'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 02, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

`India A team has enough opportunities'

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE June 1. India A coach Sandeep Patil believes in starting afresh and grabbing opportunities. The former India cricketer, who coached Kenya to the World Cup semifinals believes that the A team will have enough opportunities to prove its potential in every match during its England tour from June 22 to August 2. He was speaking to the media prior to the commencement of the India A training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here on Sunday.

"I would call the A team as the Reserve Action Force of the National team. I believe that each India A player should be fit and ready whenever they are selected into the National team. The 18-day camp here at the NCA, which has world-class facilities, is ideal.

But before that I need to talk to the selectors and with the senior team coach John Wright and know about their requirements. I want to be in sync with John's methods so that when the players break into the senior squad, they should be aware of the system and training methods,'' Patil said.

He was firm on focussing on the future. "Kenya is history. It is over. Right now I am starting afresh as the India A coach and I do think we have a decent combination here. I watched players like Badani, Balaji and Jaffer during the Ranji final recently.

"And I have been keeping a close watch on India cricket even during my stint with Kenya. We had a physical testing session with the players today and I am happy with their reports. I am looking at my role as India A coach as being part of a project to keep the reserve bench in fine form.

"And I am looking at at least two to three years of association with the A teams. Hopefully the BCCI which has been extremely receptive will give me a longer tenure because as of now I am not aware of what my role is after the India A tour of England concludes,'' Patil said.

He had discussions with Brijesh Patel, selection committee chairman and with Wright in the afternoon. Besides Wright, Madan Lal will also assist Patil. The former India medium-pacer will be the bowling consultant with the team during the camp. "Madan Lal is a committed cricketer and his inputs will be of tremendous help,'' Patil added.

On the opening day, skipper S.S. Das, Wasim Jaffer, Murali Karthik and Rohan Gavaskar were not present. The quartet is expected to join the camp in the next few days.

Meanwhile Wright landed here in the afternoon. He, however, declined to comment on his advisory role with the India A team. "I just arrived in the afternoon and I am getting things organised. I will specify my role tomorrow after I visit the NCA,'' Wright said.

The senior coach however did dwell on India's forthcoming home series against New Zealand. "We fared badly against New Zealand during our tour and we have a few scores to settle. I am sure the boys after their time off after the World Cup will be hungry. I will be talking to the BCCI president Dalmiya on the lead-up programmes for the series against New Zealand,'' Wright said.

The India A camp will conclude here on June 18 and the team will depart for England on June 22.

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