India Fielding coach: T Dilip replaced R Sridhar as fielding coach – During his seven-year tenure as the fielding coach of India, R Sridhar was touted as one of the best in the business. That he didn’t play any international cricket was considered to be a deterrent but he proved that wasn’t the case. In those seven years, India became one of the best fielding sides in the world with Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey, Virat Kohli all excelling at their fielding skills. Sridhar said it was the bad days that gave him the best opportunity to teach the Indian stars. Follow India Tour of South Africa Live Updates on InisdeSport.IN.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to learn. To me, as a coach, a bad day is a great coaching opportunity. Good days are not great coaching opportunities but bad days are. When I say coaching opportunity, it’s about understanding the person, striking a nice relationship with the players, the opportunity to coach them technically and mentally if required,” R Sridhar told PTI.
“You get to know about player and team. Basically how you are on your bad day, says what you are as a team. This team was outstanding in terms of resilience,” he added.
India Fielding coach: Former fielding coach R Sridhar reminisces, ‘Bad days were great coaching opportunity’
After seven years, he left the position with T Dilip taking over. The South Africa tour will be the first overseas tour for T Dilip. Sridhar was an integral part of the Team India coaching set-up headed by Ravi Shastri. He played a big role in the team’s remarkably improved fielding standards. Excerpts:
Difference of opinion with Bharat Arun, Ravi Shastri:
I believe difference of opinion is a must among coaches to arrive at the best conclusion. We always had a difference of opinion — whether it was me, Ravi Bhai, Bharat sir, or Sanjay (Bangar) earlier and then Vikram (Rathour). But all of us were working towards the same goal.
There is a subtle difference. We wanted same thing for the team. Two might agree and one disagree on something. But having had that conversation on different viewpoints, we make a decision that’s best suited for Indian cricket. We never had that feeling that our viewpoints were rejected.
With Ravi bhai, you could always go and tell him, this is what is happening now, maybe you should change the batting order, maybe talk to Sanjay or Vikram, backed by data, to tactically stay ahead in the game.
India Fielding coach: Former fielding coach R Sridhar reminisces, ‘Bad days were great coaching opportunity’
On Ravi Shastri:
Leadership qualities and man-management skills. These are foremost of his (Shastri) qualities that come to mind. He could get things done whether it was from the CoA then or after that BCCI.
He had a great stature and that was required. He was a players’ man and knew what players wanted and helped them remain in that space. A good leader and outstanding Man Manager.
India Fielding coach: Former fielding coach R Sridhar reminisces, ‘Bad days were great coaching opportunity’
Acceptance despite not playing international cricket
I was one of the first non-international India coach in that set-up. It actually helped in my coaching journey because I knew what it took to handle failures. I didn’t play international cricket because I wasn’t good enough to play.
But I kind of knew what it took to be an international cricketer. That probably gave me slight edge but having played FC cricket for 11 years gave me enough knowledge about the game to handle my coaching skills. As long as you are able to help them improve and as long as you have the knowledge and understanding the game and helping them become better players, they don’t care.
I told them on Day I, look I have not played international cricket but I can help you guys become better players because I had already coached for 14 years. Nowadays it’s evident coaching is more hands on job and you can’t do that by just sitting in a chair.
India Fielding coach: Former fielding coach R Sridhar reminisces, ‘Bad days were great coaching opportunity’
Who is better at fielding? Azharuddin or Ravindra Jadeja?
It is difficult to judge across different eras and fielding judged by different standards. In ’80s when Ajju bhai (Azharuddin’s nickname in Indian cricket) made his debut, there was no fitness culture in Indian cricket.
It kicked in only in late ’90s and Ajju bhai was a stand-out because of his athleticism and because he had great hands, good throw. Probably bench-mark was different. Jadeja is someone, who is pleasing to the eye even when he is chasing a ball to the boundary. He is cut above rest in world cricket. So was Azhar during his time. Azhar of 1985 to 1990 would have been a brilliant fielder even now, whether slips, close-in or being lightning in the outfield.
India Fielding coach: Former fielding coach R Sridhar reminisces, ‘Bad days were great coaching opportunity’
On newcomers at short-leg/silly point
A new player is always encouraged to take the helmet because — firstly, his reflexes are better. Secondly, he is fitter than old player and last but not least, he can stand in that position for long time. This is my understanding.
But this is a myth that seniors don’t stand at close-in positions. Puji (Cheteshwar Pujara) was standing at close-in in Kanpur. Ajinkya (Rahane) on some days would stand close in, Laxman, and Rahul (Dravid) also did till their last Test. Alastair Cook in his 164th and last game was standing at silly point and short leg.
Journey with Team India
Obviously, that’s the best phase of my life. I cannot be discontent but there is always room for improvement. Coaching philosophies and coaching methods also keep changing as you embark on that journey and reach towards the end. As far as where Indian fielding standard is now compared to when I took charge, I leave it up to the people on the outside to judge.
India Fielding coach: Former fielding coach R Sridhar reminisces, ‘Bad days were great coaching opportunity’
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