Abu Dhabi: Former Indian player and coach Lalchand Rajput is currently on Mission Afghanistan. Having lost India’s coaching job to Anil Kumble, Rajput is determined to prove his mettle by leading the war-ravaged associate nation to Test status.
The Mumbaikar’s team put up a spirited effort against England Lions before going down by 48 runs in the four-day match at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium chasing 217 yesterday. Rajput spoke at length with Gulf News on the task at hand and his plans for Afghanistan cricket.
Excerpts:
What prompted you to take up this challenge of coaching Afghanistan?
I was part of the India team, the India ‘A’ team and also at the national academy as coaching director. So I had gone through all those things. When the opportunity of coaching the Indian team came up, I was in the top three shortlisted candidates and gave my interview. But Kumble got the job due to his experience and contribution to the game. Then this offer came up and I have always taken up different challenges if you look at my coaching career. This was a different challenge for me.
Were you disappointed to miss out on India’s coaching job?
It will be wrong if I say no. I was dejected on not getting the coaching job with India. I had taken over as manager when Greg Chappell left the team in disarray and was involved in the team’s win at the T20 World Cup in 2007. Later we went to Australia and won the CB series so the eight months I was there we had not lost any series. It was disappointing to miss out on coaching India as for a certain time I felt I could have been there certainly in some other capacity at least. But when one door closes another opens up and I know I can make a difference to this Afghanistan team.
Were you sceptical at the beginning or was it a straight yes?
I was and I did ask for time. I thought I had to shift base to Kabul or something and knowing the situation there I wasn’t keen. However, later I learnt that the team was training in Noida, India and I didn’t have to move so that was a huge plus. However, I know I have to go to Kabul at some stage and it is important as well to see how the local tournaments are played there. These players keep saying everything has improved but as of now the players come and train under me at Noida.
What are the areas you are looking at in improving the Afghanistan cricket?
The main thing is lack for four-day matches. These players are more adapted to T20 format and not used to playing the four-day matches where you need to bowl long spells. They are used to bowling 10 overs and batsmen also need to score big runs and not throw away their wickets easily. That is what I’m working on and the way they have performed against the England Lions in this match shows they are responding well.
Are you ready to take those tough decisions as some of the players are already over the hill?
Yes, that is something that I had already discussed with the board and they have promised to give me full support. I have already brought in some young players in the squad. Two players are making their debut in this match. I have also given opportunities to a couple of U-19 players. The good thing is Afghanistan has a huge talent pool given the fact that they have over 300-plus full time players under the board.
You have a packed schedule for 2017 which seems to be better than any associate nation?
The only way we can improve is with match practice. For a team like Afghanistan, to play against a Test playing nation’s ‘A’ team or a top club team is huge. So we have been instrumental in getting some good tours which includes series against Zimbabwe, West Indies and Ireland as well. Even this match against England Lions was a huge learning curve for our boys as some of these players will be graduating to the England senior team.
