It is Rahul Dravid's India in the middle: Chappell

By John Cheeran
Indian cricket team coach Greg Chappell makes it clear that Rahul Dravid is the boss when Team India is out on the field. “When the team is on the field, Rahul is the decision maker. At that stage, I’m no better than someone who is in the stands or someone who is watching TV at home,” says the no-nonsense Indian coach.
Chappell says he is more involved with the coaching and preparation of the side.Chappell also stressed that coach and captain should have a good relationship, and both he and Rahul enjoy an excellent partnership.
As the Indian team left for South Africa from Mumbai early on Tuesday, Chappell made an important observation. Whatever happened in the immediate past will have no bearing on the series in South Africa. And whatever happens in South Africa will not have any impact during the World Cup to be held in the West Indies in 2007.
“The conditions in South Africa and the West Indies are entirely different. Last time, before the World Cup, India had a very ordinary tour of New Zealand. India lost the lead-up game to the World Cup and had a shaky start to the tournament. Still India made to the World Cup final,” Chappell reminded the critics’ colony.
Chappell also said that there are differences in the Indian team to the extent that there are right-handers and left-handers. “Each one has been given the right to express himself. But it is the team management that is finally responsible for the decision making.”Chappell says it is easy to criticize from the outside. “Anyone can second guess. Anyone can criticize as long as they have no responsibility, “says the Aussie.
He indicated the focus of the team management remains on the big picture conceived 18 months ago and there will not be any break from that path. It is an important and firm statement from Chappell that the recent spate of criticism will have no bearing on the team management’s moves.
In a nutshell, there is no admission of mistakes.Chappell defends giving the No.3 role as a batsman for Irfan Pathan when he said that batting had nothing to do with the bowler’s loss of direction as a bowler. Chappell made a telling comment. “Everyone has to bat during a match.”
Same holds true for Virender Sehwag’s lower order role. Chappell says it was the idea was discussed and it was done in the larger interest of Team India.
Chappell pointed out that every team needs its element of youth to give the cutting edge to the side. “No senior can match the enthusiasm of a Sreesanth, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Mohammad Kaif,” a statement that can act as a dampener for Sourav Ganguly’s and VVS Laxman’s World Cup hopes.
Chappell did not want to react to a National selector’s statement that the South African tour is a make-or- break series for guys such as Raina and Kaif.
“That’s a big statement,” Chappell said. Indian coach, however, says that a player like Raina was drafted into the side with the plan of giving the youngster 30-40 matches so that he will be ready for the World Cup.
It can be seen that coach and captain are backing their chosen ones. With selection committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar desperate to play the god-send to Indian cricket, there will not be any dearth of drama as India battle South Africa.