MUMBAI, SEPT 21: Anshuman Gaekwad's tempestuous tenure as coach of the Indian cricket team comes to an end. Just hours before embarking on the tour of Kenya, Gaekwad learnt of the news trickling in from the Board AGM at Jaipur.Though he hadn't yet been officially informed, the battle-scarred former India opener seemed well aware of the script that unfolded in Jaipur and was quite stoic The Indian Express contacted him. ``Everything has to undergo a change,'' he said on a philosophical note.Gaekwad, who would be celebrating his 47th birthday in two days time, greeted the appointment of Kapil Dev as his successor with much optimism.``I am quite hopeful that Kapil will be able to do a good job. The boys will definitely look up to him.''The stature of Kapil, who holds the World record for the highest number of Test wickets (434), would obviously be a big plus, he noted. ``Another advantage is that he has played alongwith a few of them.''Gaekwad didn't think Kapil's lack of coaching experiencewould be a handicap. ``At the international level, what is required is basic knowledge of the game which I'm sure he has in abundance. The rest boils down to man management,'' he opined.Reflecting on his two-year tenure, which began with the 1997 Independence Cup triumph in Dhaka, Gaekwad said: ``It was quite satisfying overall. It was a period when the team also underwent lot of experimentation. There were defeats which were narrow in margin. We were defeated yes, but not downgraded.''The World Cup was his greatest disappointment. ``It was most disappointing because I was optimistic that the team would go through to the finals.''Consistency has been the bane of the Indian team, said Gaekwad, who took over the reins from Madan Lal present National selector. ``We have proved our excellence from match to match be it bowling, batting or fielding. So, it's not a question of the team lacking in talent. But we ought to do it consistently.''Gaekwad said the lack of peak fitness has been the most worryingaspect for the team. The solution, he said, lay in holding at least a month-long camp prior to the onset of the season.Though the Vadodara-based Gaekwad expressed satisfaction of his stint, he felt a three-year term would be ideal for a coach.With five titles under his belt as coach, Gaekwad was hopeful of signing off with a win. ``I began my Test career with a victory, and similar were the results on my appointments as selector and coach. I would love to sign off on a winning note.''Gaekwad isn't finished yet with Indian cricket. The indications are that he is set to return as a National selector, replacing Ajit Wadekar from the present committee.``Oh! C'mon, give me a break,'' was his jocular answer when queried about it. Till then, his immediate goal is the four-nation event in Nairobi beginning Sept 26.
