Malhotra steps out against Wright

By John Cheeran
My memories of Ashok Malhotra are hardly that of a hard hitter.
I can recall his toothy grin and his struggles at the wicket to survive against the hot pace a Wayne Daniel and Michael Holding at the Eden Gardens in 1983.
Malhotra scored lots of runs in Ranji Trophy and proximity to his Haryana mate and Indian skipper Kapil Dev gave him a few opportunities in the Indian side.
Malhotra may have been an average player but he has showed exceptional reflex against former Indian coach John Wright’s barbs against national selectors.
Malhotra, a former national selector during Wright’s reign as coach, has hit hard against Wright ‘s double standards now.
Agencies report that Malhotra has called Wright as a spineless character in the wake of his allegations.
Malhotra says Wright did not have his own opinion and would often tow the selectors' line. "In the end we had to remind him that there were only 14 players and he had to suggest names," Malhotra was quoted as saying by UNI .
"Where do you think so many young players came from if the selectors were not doing their work? Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and their lot came in because of the selectors. He [Wright] knew 20 players but we knew 290 and so there would be a difference."
"I am really sorry to say that these foreign coaches come to India to earn million dollars and go back to write books criticizing the country. When they are here they tow the line, and only when they go back they find so many faults."
Malhotra has more than a point there.
I find it perfectly reasonable to have foreign coaches for the national side but if they have differences of opinion they should express it to the BCCI and if you cannot implement your designs you should move on. A coach’s role is not to be a silent spectator when things happen contrary to his convictions and turn his pusillanimity into fine print when time suits him.I wish Malhotra had such verve to hit back at bowlers in the 1980s.