The race to determine India’s next coach is on. Cricinfo informs us that it is now a two horse race. Graham Ford will be up against an unidentified thoroughbred of non-Indian origin who is yet to be contacted to ascertain his availability*.
This being Indian cricket, the job of the media is now to speculate away as to who the second guy maybe. The speculators have so far thrown out the names of Arjuna Ranatunga, Duncan Fletcher, Graham Gooch, Mike Gatting and John Emburey. On the basis of this list I have concluded that the only two things the board is looking for in its next coach are: non-Indianess and a generous waistline. I do not see the logic in this, but since Greg Chappell is not obese, I am not complaining!
Even so, I do believe the board is overlooking one excellent prospect who fits their criteria. I think India’s next coach should be Inzamam-ul-Haq. Nothing is more non-Indian than Pakistani, and when it comes to corpulence Inzi can (Inshallah, God-willing) give any of the other prospects a leisurely stroll for their money. But what really, ahem, tilts the scales in Inzi’s favour is his ability to send the TV ratings through the roof. Imagine Inzi at the press conferences: four more years of “Boys play well” , in addition to the delicious irony of Inzi complaining about our pathetic fielding, fitness and running between the wickets. What a great way for the BCCI to keep the interest in the game alive! Given their recent track record, I am sure they wont miss the trick.
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* What about Whatmore you wonder. To quote N “Yoda” Srinivasan, “We have established contact with Whatmore. You can say by implication that yes, he has been ruled out.”
