Imagine preparing three players for specific roles for some of the hardest roles in T20 cricket for the past four to five months: finishing the innings off with the bat, taking wickets in the middle overs on pitches that may not always suit leg spinners, and bowling in the slog overs.
And then you proceed to drop them at the beginning or halfway through a T20 World Cup.
That is exactly what Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel have faced during India’s T20 World Cup campaign. While they may all not be deserving of being in India’s best T20 XI, the process of giving them these roles for nearly half a year only to drop them during a World Cup shows the lack of vision and clarity India have under head coach Rahul Dravid.
His coaching methods work at under 19 and India A level, as results aren’t the main goal – producing Indian players is. But exceeding a limit on giving young players game time, only to bring back players based on their reputation during a World Cup and going back to square one, is a waste of time for India.
If Dravid does go, who is the man to take over the Indian men’s team? Here are some names that could come up.
Justin Langer
While I do believe Langer should have been ousted as Australian coach after the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy series, there is no doubt that he was mistreated towards the end of his tenure.
The former Australian opener has been a huge fan of the Indian team during his tenure, with much praise aimed at the team, especially Virat Kohli. Langer has a history of being involved in Indian cricket, having been a part of the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition of the IPL, and as teammates with current Indian superstar Ravindra Jadeja.
India have often only looked inwards when searching for coaches, but some overseas input won’t do them any harm if they do go down the Langer route.
(Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Amol Muzumdar
A domestic legend of Indian cricket, Muzumdar retired having amassed over 11,000 runs in first-class cricket. Teammates with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly at under 19, India A or state level, Muzumdar is arguably the greatest Indian batter to remain uncapped in international cricket.
The Mumbai legend has been involved in international cricket in a coaching capacity, having been a batting consultant for the Netherlands.
Having been a temporary batting coach for South Africa in 2019, Muzumdar got his maiden coaching gig a year ago, having been appointed head coach of Mumbai. Since then, they have gone on to become runners-up in the Ranji Trophy, while winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the second-tier T20 competition, a few days ago.
I am a firm believer that if you can handle the egos of a big domestic team and win with them, then you can handle coaching India. Muzumdar is inexperienced as a head coach, but the Indian squad knows him well from his playing days or his coaching gigs.
Having retired less than a decade ago, Muzumdar would also understand the current scenario of Indian cricket and how to handle the pressure in this era.
Chandrakant Pandit
If there’s anyone who knows Indian domestic cricket and how it has evolved this century, it would be former Indian wicketkeeper Pandit.
Pandit is renowned as one of the most successful coaches in Indian domestic cricket, after a stellar career on the domestic circuit as a player. Pandit has won six Ranji Trophy titles as a coach, winning three with Mumbai (2002-03, 2003-04 and 2015-16), two with Vidarbha (2017-18 and 2018-19) and recently winning one with Madhya Pradesh (2022).
Not only has Pandit won titles, his ability to get players performing well beyond their potential has led to some rapid rises for some who may have not achieved it under other coaches – Venkatesh Iyer and Rajat Patidar being recent examples.
With the best available players at his helm and a real desire to prioritise red ball cricket, Pandit would be able to do wonders with the Indian squad. He knows how to handle egos amongst playing groups as a coach, and his record speaks for itself. Pandit is the best option amongst the trio, and he commands respect wherever he goes.
Indian cricket finds itself with a great amount of depth, yet they do not have the right support staff to utilise it.
If Dravid were to remain coach of the Indian team, things will continue to get ugly for the nationl side, which the BCCI cannot afford.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Dravid was right to drop Khartik. You can't stick with someone who isn't performing just because you had them in that role leading up to the tournament. If anything, they should have dropped him before the Cup and given Pant some warmup games. India topped their group before losing to the eventual winners in the Semis. That's not exactly awful, and they lost that game mainly due to poor new-ball bowling, not the issues you've pointed out. I'm not sure the egos in Indian cricket could handle Langer's hardman approach. Kumble got booted because Kohli didn't want him, and he was nowhere near as abrasive as Langer. They need an astute tactician who can bring players together.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Ponting won't leave Australia full-time.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Gardening leave or early retirement
Rusty Brooks
Roar Rookie
It would almost be like a paid holiday.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
But there's no expectation or pressure from the Indian fans so JL could just cruise along.
matth
Roar Guru
Their Greg Chappell experience probably heads them towards a local coach but their John Wright experience was a positive
HR
Guest
Overseas is better though. Indian coaches become patsy's to the BCCI very quickly. Overseas ones tend to be more outspoken, and the BCCI will tend to listen and accept through gritted teeth. I do not think it coincidence that the last two international trophies won by India were under the stewardship of a foreign coach.
Rusty Brooks
Roar Rookie
I read that last part as ‘tired and testy’, but you might still be right.
Sai
Guest
I like Langer, despite the albatross hanging over his neck. He might bring a bit of ruthlessness to the indian white ball setup.
whymuds
Roar Rookie
Not sure I’d make the call to sack Dravid based on our t20 wc performance when we were 2nd or 3rd favourites anyway. We aren’t a great t20 team because our playbook is so old school, and missing Sir Ravi and Bumrah certainly didn’t help. In any case, this is probably not Dravid’s fault entirely. But what has been more disappointing for me was not being able to knock off a rebuilding South Africa at their home after winning the first test and setting reasonable 4th innings targets and the same for the last (one off) test in England earlier this year where they chased nearly 400 which meant we split the series. These losses showed a real lack of killer instinct. Two golden chances to win away test series gone! Like your suggestions though. I’d give Langer or Punter a crack.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Surely India have plenty of options to chose from. They should not need to look overseas
David Browne
Guest
I think Justin Langer should be the coach of the Indian cricket team because he is tried and tested.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
No to all 3 although they are good choices. I would break the bank to get Ricky Ponting and I think he would do it for a couple of years if given the proper support. I thin Dravid could be the batting coach.