Greg Chappell emphasizes need to promote youngsters

Indian Board requests former coach to stay on as advisor

By Ramola Talwar Badam

CRICKET: MUMBAI, India, April 7 - India's cricket board heard Friday from its former coach about reasons for the national team's debacle in the cricket World Cup, and said the coach could help in the long-term development of the game in the country.

Greg Chappell, a former Australian captain, made a slide presentation before the officials.

He resigned Wednesday, citing personal reasons in the letter he sent to Sharad Pawar, the board president.

He was named coach of the Indian side in 2005. His contract was set to expire later this month.

"Chappell emphasized the need to promote youngsters and concentrate on fitness and strength for the team to do well in fielding and running between wickets," Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board Of Control For Cricket In India, said in a statement after the meeting.

"Board President Pawar was of the opinion that Chappell could be associated with Indian cricket and help in the implementation of the long-term plan, although he is no more the coach of the Indian team," the statement said. Indian captain Rahul Dravid and team manager and selector Sanjay Jagdale also met with board officials.

Rahul accepted responsibility on behalf of the team for the poor performance that led to an early exit from the World Cup, it said.

Jagdale said the entire team, particularly the batsmen, failed in the matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He wanted youngsters to be given a chance to improve Indian cricket, the statement said. Earlier, Pawar said some decisions would be taken on Saturday.

The officials were to meet seven former Indian captains later Friday to discuss the choice of a new coach and the changes required in the country's cricket setup to revive the team's fortunes.

India is scheduled to play a one-day series against Bangladesh next month.

India's cricket players are adored by millions and are among the world's highest-paid cricketers. However, the players also face serious flak when they fail to live up to fans' expectations.

- AP