NEW DELHI: As a coach in the first decade of the 21st century, John Buchanan has overseen an era of Australian cricket that dominated world cricket like very few teams have. As a coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in formative years of IPL, he has seen the transition of cricket. Now, he is back as a coach in the Legends League Cricket. He spoke to TOI on the importance of a coach’s role in T20 cricket, handling superstars and managing the resource pool. Excerpts:
How much has T20 cricket changed coaching?
In short-duration games like football, the coach has a right to make an impact on a game by making substitutions. I do believe that’s where the T20 game should move. Coach, in T20s, should be like a football manager on the sidelines. That’s why I think rather than having a playing XI, you should have 15 nominated players. Not one player can remember all the set of players and the strategies whereas the coach sitting off the field can have access to the overall picture of the game.
Challenges of coaching a team full of superstars…
Coaching any team at different times is difficult because you are dealing with human beings. They are in different stages of their lives, career and even on a tour. There are things going off the field. The coach’s role with the superstar is to smooth out the ride for them because it could be a roller coaster. If the superstar trusts the coach it becomes easy. That’s why Rahul Dravid is a good choice as a coach because he is a very calm, level-headed and highly experienced player.
Challenges of a modern-day coach…
What made life a lot simpler in those days when I coached Australia was that there was very little social media. Modern-day coaches have more focus on them. They have to be physically and mentally prepared. There is a need for more coaching. But there is an excess amount of support staff in teams. I do think that becomes a potential distraction for a team and head coach.
India have a strong pool of players but are struggling to form the right playing XI in T20 cricket…
Preparing a pool of 30 doesn’t mean all of them go into an XI. The thing that worked for that Australian team is that we really didn’t have such turnover of players. That did mean that the likes of Brad Hodge never got an opportunity to play at the highest level as he should have. We stuck to a group of players that was performing well. They had come to know each other very well and they were very tight. That was the secret for that Australian team.
The T20 World Cup in Australia is almost here. Australia are defending champions…
There are no clear favourites in modern-day cricket. Yes, home advantage is always helpful. But you need to understand that you are actually playing a new tournament. Feeling of being defending champions is nice but favourites emerge as the tournament wears on.
How has been the experience of being in the Legends League Cricket?
It’s been quite enjoyable. The camaraderie has been great. I was talking to Ryan Sidebottom and he was saying we are getting to play some cricket and getting to meet people. It’s nice to meet all those you have played with and against.
How much has T20 cricket changed coaching?
In short-duration games like football, the coach has a right to make an impact on a game by making substitutions. I do believe that’s where the T20 game should move. Coach, in T20s, should be like a football manager on the sidelines. That’s why I think rather than having a playing XI, you should have 15 nominated players. Not one player can remember all the set of players and the strategies whereas the coach sitting off the field can have access to the overall picture of the game.
Challenges of coaching a team full of superstars…
Coaching any team at different times is difficult because you are dealing with human beings. They are in different stages of their lives, career and even on a tour. There are things going off the field. The coach’s role with the superstar is to smooth out the ride for them because it could be a roller coaster. If the superstar trusts the coach it becomes easy. That’s why Rahul Dravid is a good choice as a coach because he is a very calm, level-headed and highly experienced player.
Challenges of a modern-day coach…
What made life a lot simpler in those days when I coached Australia was that there was very little social media. Modern-day coaches have more focus on them. They have to be physically and mentally prepared. There is a need for more coaching. But there is an excess amount of support staff in teams. I do think that becomes a potential distraction for a team and head coach.
India have a strong pool of players but are struggling to form the right playing XI in T20 cricket…
Preparing a pool of 30 doesn’t mean all of them go into an XI. The thing that worked for that Australian team is that we really didn’t have such turnover of players. That did mean that the likes of Brad Hodge never got an opportunity to play at the highest level as he should have. We stuck to a group of players that was performing well. They had come to know each other very well and they were very tight. That was the secret for that Australian team.
The T20 World Cup in Australia is almost here. Australia are defending champions…
There are no clear favourites in modern-day cricket. Yes, home advantage is always helpful. But you need to understand that you are actually playing a new tournament. Feeling of being defending champions is nice but favourites emerge as the tournament wears on.
How has been the experience of being in the Legends League Cricket?
It’s been quite enjoyable. The camaraderie has been great. I was talking to Ryan Sidebottom and he was saying we are getting to play some cricket and getting to meet people. It’s nice to meet all those you have played with and against.
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