A letter to Greg Chappell

By John Cheeran
Is Greg Chappell doing his job?
Coach Chappell has worked his magic with guys such as Irfan Pathan, Sreesanth and Munaf Patel.
Youngsters Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni too have benefited from the Aussie legend’s presence.
It is quite surprising that young fast bowlers have added a few things on to their skills but senior batsmen have lost their moorings.
A renowned batsman in 70s and 80s, Chappell’s inputs, however, have not helped seniors such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly sort out their batting woes.
Interesting thing to be remembered here is that it was Chappell who helped Ganguly in 2004 to regain his batting form in Australia. In fact Chappell had become Ganguly’s trusted man during that time.
A grateful Ganguly ensured that Chappell got Indian coach’s post so that he doesn’t have to rush to Sydney to sort his own problems with bat.
Chappell, in an interview to The Guardian, confessed that without the influence of Ganguly he would not have got Indian coach’s job.
But again why Chappell magic is not working with the senior batsmen where as guys such as Pathan has invented their batting skills.
Is it because the senior pros in the side are not listening to coach’s suggestions?
Whatever the case may be it is a pathetic spectacle to see Sehwag holding his bat without a clue against balls that leap to his throat. Sehwag’s weakness was apparent in the Karachi Test and throughout the last Test series against England.
It is surprising that the initiative has not come from Sehwag to overcome his weakness against the rising stuff. Bowlers all over the world must be relishing now the prospect to harass Sehwag.
Chappell too has to admit his failure in giving the adequate technical and psychological support to the beleaguered Indian batsmen.
Chappell can explain that he cannot bat for those who are struggling in the middle.
We would, however, like to see the Indian batsmen face rival fast bowlers with courage and conviction.
And Chappell cannot deny that, as a coach, he has the moral responsibility to restore Indian batting its dignity.
I wish the likes of Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir rein in their egos and become better students soon for their own good as well as for the benefit of Indian cricket.