'Happy to be in Sourav Ganguly's shadow': World Cup Winner Highlights Dark Chapter of Indian Cricket

biggest parameter for judging a coach's performance is to review number of trophies team has won during his tenure. However, re's more to role of a coach, and former India player Sandeep Patil has given a breakdown of how some of former coaches h different approaches to control helm.

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Sandeep Patil Highlights How John Wright Was Different Than Greg Chappell

1983 World Cup winner and ex-chairman of selectors, Sandeep Patil feels John Wright's approach of giving a free-hand to players led to his successful coaching stint with India, something his more authoritarian successors Greg Chappell and Anil Kumble failed to emulate. In his autobiography -- Beyond Boundaries -- launched here on Wednesday, Patil gave deep insights about reason behind Wright's success as India coach vis a vis Chappell and Kumble.

"Since 2000, India have h an array of international coaches and support staff. This has paid rich dividends, because India's overseas record has improved steily. It all started with John Wright becoming India's first foreign coach.

"I think John was ideal coach for India. He was soft spoken, polite, well-mannered, always kept to himself, and was happy to be in Sourav Ganguly 's show.

"In dition to all that, he kept a distance from Press. He mand that so well, that he was hardly in news — unlike what happened in Greg Chappell years," Patil wrote in his book.

"With Chappell, he was in news every day. It is very important for a coach to first understand policy of that particular board, thinking of board members, and President. He should have a good rapport with President and Secretary, and of course captain and team. John did that wonderfully." Patil observed that every player was equal and team came first for Wright.

"...during his tenure, re was 'seniors' and juniors' business. It was one team. He believed all seniors were leers in some way, He gave m respect, and a free hand, which l feel Anil Kumble didn't do. Greg Chappell too," he wrote.

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What Greg Chappell Tried To Enforce?

former India coach felt that Chappell's aggressive approach did t suit Indian dressing room atmosphere.

"Greg is a very strong personality; very aggressive. moment Jagmohan Dalmiya said you have a free hand, he thought that he can change everything overnight. John waited, and learnt system. Greg wanted to change entire system, entire thinking, and selection process," Patil elaborated.

"He introduced flexibility in Indian team, and he spoiled things for Rahul Dravid, who took over from Ganguly as captain. Irfan (Pathan) was asked to move up order. Seniors don't like to change numbers, wher it is Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid, or Virender Sehwag.

" or issue in Greg Chappell saga was presence of Ian Fraser as Assistant Coach. Most players didn't like his presence." Patil said Chappell was in a hurry to introduce Australian culture in Indian system.

"Greg wanted to introduce Australian culture, Australian way of playing cricket, and Australian way of thinking. He could've done it, but he didn't bide his time. That's where I think rift started, and he was against a few seniors who were t toeing line.

"Sourav is t a guy who will get up and start running and doing stretches. You need to give him time. I think Greg rubbed seniors wrong way, though a few seniors didn't speak openly about him - some like Kumble still haven't. It's same with Dravid. Ironically, Ganguly got him in, but was instrumental in his exit," he wrote.

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Gary Kirsten Proved To Be Ideal Coach

Patil felt Gary Kirsten turned out to be most successful Indian coach because of his closeness with players.

"Gary Kirsten was very successful - you could say most successful, because his squ won 2011 World Cup. Gary, again, was well-respected and soft-spoken. He h played against same players and got runs. This counts, in a way.

"Having played in India, he knew what to expect. He also stayed away from Press, and gave all his 24 hours to team," he wrote. 

(With inputs from PTI)