CHANDIGARH, Sept 22: Kapil Dev's appointment as national team coach has delighted City fans and they support his demand to have say in the team selection. Former India player Yog Raj, Kapil's new-ball bowling partner for years, believes that Kapil's advent will guarantee that young players get a boost, since he has said that he will over see domestic cricket.Yog Raj described him as "so down to earth . any player can approach him and discuss his problems. But don't expect him to dole out any favours cricket will take precedence over everything. Now our team will be the fittest as he himself works so hard."His coach Desh Prem Azad exuded similar confidence, saying: "I knew it much earlier. This was the need of the hour. We needed someone to prop up the Indian cricket and Kapil is the most suitable person. He now has to assert himself and take over the reins.""He was one of the best all-rounders India ever had, so I expect the team's batting and bowling to improve. Youngsters will look up to him . he can be very encouraging. Over all, with his experience, he will raise the standard of the game," declared former Ranji Trophy player and Kapil's childhood friend, Rakesh Jolly. He agreed that coaches should have a say in team selection "as they are always with the team and nobody can know the team better than them"."It's the best thing to happen to Indian cricket in ages," declared Haryana Cricket Association founder member Sushil Kapoor. Saying that "in the international arena, Indian cricket is at the crossroads", Kapoor felt that "Kapil's induction as the coach will bring a sea-change in the players' attitude and performance. As he himself is fit, he will ensure that the team reaches international fitness standards which is the key to success. He has been the idol of most of the senior players and the role model of the youngsters; he will have no trouble achieving a rapport with the present team." Kapoor asserted that "only the coach can assess the team's quality as the coach is always with the team and knows the players".Punjab player Sanjay Dhull went so far as to say that the coach should be the final authority in the selection of the team as "he is the best judge of the team and knows under what circumstances a player has performed." Dhull recalled that in the past Kapil had been pointing out the team's faults and suggesting remedies: "Now he can eliminate those shortcomings from team. He knows the game and he's highly respected; he'll be good for Indian cricket."Businessman Raj Bir Singh described Kapil Dev as "a proven asset who will repeat his past successes. He is more forward-minded than others and he has good relations with the players which he can use for the teams benefit." He wanted the coach to have more say in the team as "the coach watches the players from close quarters and remains with them on and off the field . if some player is in bad form he should be chucked out until he's back in top form again."Ashish Bansal, a student, applauded: "He deserved to be coach! Under his captaincy Indian cricket was at its best and under him only we won the World Cup. We expect the same form from the team now. He will produce a disciplined team." Bansal agreed that the coach should have a say in selection "as he is closet to the team and knows their weaknesses and strong points."
