True coaching success comes from focusing on the process first, as seen with Gary Kirsten and Rahul Dravid, whose methods built lasting legacies
Hemanta Panda
The way Gary Kirsten or Dravid became head coach — they became a part of the process and fine-tuned small things. India won World Cups under them. They left behind a legacy. Process drove legacy.
With Gautam Gambhir and Ravi Shastri — they came with an intent to stamp their legacy from the beginning. In my opinion, there was no need to replace Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. It appears the seniors were coerced into early retirement, with Gambhir trying to curb the star mentality in the Indian team.
Indian cricket and Bollywood are driven by stars. If they don’t perform, the public will show them the door and they will perish. There was no need for the head coach to clean up experienced players before this critical Test series.
Secondly, rampant change is strategically absorbed during home conditions. Leaving a raw team in unfamiliar conditions for a long series — the drastic change was not needed.
Thirdly, a coach inspires a team with compassionate attitude and humility. These are traits that make a coach look good. The coach is not the face of Indian cricket — the players, especially the captain, are. The men in blue draw confidence when their acts are recognized and prioritized. The coach is a catalyst, not the driver. Trying to hone the players’ skills and develop strategy — like how Guru Drona imbibed skills — is missing. Stay back but be their internal force. Gautam is unable to keep his emotions in check in the background, and that is demoralizing.
Don’t stamp your legacy. Show impact — legacy will follow.
Praying for a draw on the fifth day.
(Hemanta Panda is a Technologist who lives in New Jersey, USA)