“Greg Chappell Spoilt His Name” Mohammad Kaif on Greg Chappell and John Wright

Greg Chappell and John Wright have coached the Indian cricket team in the 2000s. Both had contrasting experiences in their tenure as the head coach. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif listed out the difference between the approach of Chappell and Wright. He also laid stress on the important factors involved in being a good fielder.?

John Wright had a successful career as the head coach of the Indian team. He shared a good rapport with then India’s captain Sourav Ganguly. The two made the Indian team reach the heights of success. Greg Chappell on the other hand couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity given to him. There were many rumors of his tiff with captain Ganguly. Also, many big guys in the team couldn’t connect with him due to his different approach towards the game.?

In an interview with Times of India, Kaif said that unlike Wright, Chappell failed to understand the work culture of the team and also lacked management skills which resulted in his fall out.?

Kaif revealed, “Chappell (the Australian batting great) could have been a good batting coach. But he spoilt his name, as he could not run the team properly, he couldn’t understand the Indian culture and lacked good man-management skills and hence didn’t prove to be a good coach,”?

He pointed out, “People respected John Wright because he coordinated well with the players and let Ganguly the captain lead the team from the front,”?

You should have good hand-eye coordination: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif was a good fielder during his playing days. As a result, he precisely knows the training and the hard work which goes into being a valuable fielder for the team.?

Explaining the qualities of a good fielder, Kaif said, “To become a good fielder one has put in long hours of practice. The fielding drills should not be about quality but quantity, only then one can become a good fielder. One should be obsessed about becoming a good fielder. Because a match doesn’t have a 30-minute time span, so you should have the fitness of staying on the ground.”

The veteran cricketer laid stress on the mindset one should have while being on the field. He said that the foremost thing for any good fielder is the presence of mind. Also, the bowler revealed that one should have the good hand-eye coordination to master the art of fielding.?

Kaif quoted, “A catch can come anytime even if you are tired, you may have to dive, you may have to slide to catch the ball. That ability comes through the practice of quantity, not quality. You should also have a good technique and good hand-eye coordination,”??

He further added, “But if you make up your mind that you have to spend long hours at the field, then you can become a good fielder. One cannot become a good fielder by looking at the time and an hour-long practice. Keep the time aside and give emphasis on effort and commitment, only then you can become a good fielder.”,?

During the interview, Mohammad Kaif also named his favorite fielder in the present Indian team. The veteran named Ravindra Jadeja as an exceptional fielder.?

The 39-year-old exclaimed, “Jadeja is improving by age and is setting a good example. Just like a complete batsman is the one who can play the bouncer well, is able to drive, play the cut and the pull well and play spin also comfortably and has the patience to stay at the crease. All these things add up to make a good batsman. It is the same in fielding.”?