Duncan Fletcher lucky to get an extension after poor record: Sunil Gavaskar

March 16, 2013

Duncan_Fletcher_lucky

New Delhi, Mar 16: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that Duncan Fletcher is lucky to have been handed an extension as no Indian coach would have been able to survive after losing 10 Test matches.

"If he were an Indian, probably he would not have got an extension. If you look at the past, everytime an Indian coach didn't do well in a series, he was removed," he said.

"During his (Fletcher's) tenure, India suffered heavy losses in Australia and England. India also could not win the Asia Cup despite being the world champions. Well, India didn't win any title during his tenure. India didn't even qualify for the knockout stage of T20 World cup," Gavaskar told a news television on Friday.

Now that he has been given an extension, Gavaskar said it is important to back Fletcher as "Indian cricket is bigger than individuals" and hoped that the Zimbabwean would now try and improve his record now.

"Good luck to him on his extension. I hope he will try and improve his record," Gavaskar said.

"Once team is selected, it is not fair to comment. It can demoralise the players. Before the selection, one can debate but after selection we need to back the team. Now that he has got an extension, we need to support him," he said.

"It makes sense to have him till the next World Cup as it will be difficult for a new coach to have a positive change before the World Cup in one year," he added.

Asked if the skipper and senior players have a say on the selection or extension of a coach, Gavaskar said: "There was a committee early on but when Fletcher was appointed, it was on the word of Gary Kirsten, that's how he got the job in 2011."

Gavaskar also lauded the Indian bowlers for reducing Australia to 273 for seven on the second day of the third test especially after the visitors got on a flying start.

"After the start they got, it was ideal for them to end the day at 290-300 for four but India did bowl well. Jadeja got the wickets but credit should be given to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni too for the catches.

"Ishant Sharma has also started bowling the length which makes him such as effective bowler," he said.

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News Network
June 10,2020

Kingston, Jun 10: "Enough is enough", said West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as he opened up on the raging issue of racism and called for "respect and equality" for black people, who have faced discrimination for years.

Bravo joined the likes of his former captain Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle in denouncing racism in the wake of African-American George Floyd's killing at the hands of a white police officer in the USA.

"It's sad to see what's going on around the world. As a black man, we know the history of what black people have been through. We never ask for revenge, we ask for equality and respect. That's it," Bravo told former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa in an Instagram live chat on Tuesday.

"We give respect to others. Why is it that we are facing this over and over? Now enough is enough. We just want equality. We don't want revenge, war.

"We just want respect. We share love and appreciate people for who they are. That's what is most important."

The 36-year-old, who has played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs and 71 T20Is for West Indies, said he wants the world to know that they are powerful and beautiful people and gave the example of greats such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan.

"I just want our brothers and sisters to know that we are powerful and beautiful. And at the end of the day, you look at some of the greats of the world, whether it is Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan we have had leaders who paved the way for us," he said.

Two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Sammy had earlier alleged that a racist nickname was used to address him during his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad and demanded an apology.

Sammy said he was called 'Kalu' while he was in India. 'Kalu' is a derogatory word to describe black people.

Gayle, who too plays in the IPL, took to Twitter to back Sammy, saying that racism does exist in cricket.

"It's never too late to fight for the right cause or what you've experienced over the years! So much more to your story, @darensammy88. Like I said, it's in the game!!," Gayle tweeted.

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News Network
March 12,2020

New Delhi, Mar 12: No foreign player will be available for this year's IPL till April 15 due to visa restrictions imposed by the government to contain the novel coronavirus threat, a top BCCI source told PTI on Thursday, casting fresh doubts on the fate of the event.

"The foreign players who play in the IPL come under the Business Visa category. As per the government's directive, they can't come till April 15," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The government issued fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till April 15 in the wake of new positive cases of novel coronavirus in the country.

India has reported 60 positive cases in the outbreak which has led to over 4,000 deaths globally.

The fate of the IPL itself will be decided on March 14 at the event's Governing Council meeting in Mumbai. "All decisions will be taken by the GC in Mumbai," the source said.

Having the IPL, starting March 29, played in empty stadiums is an option being explored.

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Agencies
January 14,2020

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