Duncan Fletcher turns miracle-worker again

Duncan Fletcher is rarely seen in public and even more rarely heard. The former England coach has never been media friendly to begin with but he has taken staying in the background even more to heart with India, only speaking at pre-tour and post-tour press conferences, perfectly in sync with the BCCI’s policy of saying as little as possible.

His demeanour does not appear to change, whether India is winning or losing, which makes him an easy target. But Fletcher simply goes about doing what Fletcher does and what Fletcher does best is coaching young players, as India is finding out.

Fletcher had a rough time when India was being humiliated by England and Australia, losing eight away Tests on the trot. There were calls for his head then, which only amplified after India lost 2-1 to England at home. The extension of his contract was seen then as a travesty. In hindsight, it is starting to look like a sensible decision and he deserves credit for India’s revival after copping a lot of stick for India’s slide.

India is now a young team following the retirements of VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar (ODIs), and the dropping of Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan. The average age is a tick under 26 and most of the players have little international experience. While they have MS Dhoni to provide leadership and inspiration, there is a need for a mentor who can teach them the game, as Dhoni articulated during the 2013 Champions Trophy.

“Duncan is someone who knows the basics of cricket really well,” Dhoni said. “The small, very little things that he can spot right at the start is something that’s very crucial for all the youngsters, and it’s a key for us, also.

Dhoni also mentioned that Fletcher is under less pressure than he was in 2011, and enjoying himself more as a result. “I think he is loving the fact now that the team has started to do well and also there are lots of youngsters on the side who he needs to guide,” Dhoni said.

Fletcher is also on the same page as Dhoni when it comes to backing players. He doesn’t believe in chopping and changing. He believes in picking his best team and sticking with it, even if players don’t perform in the short term.

Nasser Hussein told ESPNcricinfo shortly after Fletcher was appointed that the coach changed the selection policy for England. “Fletcher said, ‘If I want to pick a player, I want to pick him as an investment, not for just one week, one Test match. I am picking him as an investment for the future. I want to know how good he’s going to be in one year, two years’ time.’”

What he did was give England the likes of Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff, who all blossomed into crucial parts of England’s victorious Ashes squad in 2005.

What he had done for India is give them Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a rejuvenated Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma the opener, all crucial parts of India’s two ODI tournament triumphs in England and the West Indies over the last couple of months. India were also the best fielding side in the Champions Trophy, a moniker that has rarely, if ever, been associated with the team.

Of course, there are sterner tests ahead for India. Two one-day tournaments represent a beginning, not an end. The lengthy tour of South Africa at the end of the year looms large and will likely decide the futures for a few of these players, especially in Test cricket. But it is a challenge that Fletcher will relish and he will do everything he can to make sure the players are as prepared as possible.

Before the Champions Trophy final, the London Evening Standard spoke to former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart about Fletcher’s impact on the Indian team. Stewart provided a ringing endorsement of his former coach:

“He is now having a greater influence and they [India> are reaping the rewards .. They’re a more athletic fielding side, they run between the wickets much better, they bat very responsibly but also in an entertaining way. It’s the all-round package. He’s done very well and India are lucky to have him.”

With due respect to Stewart, it is still too early to say India are lucky to have Fletcher but the signs are promising. And if this team continues to perform in South Africa the way they have so far this summer, then India will indeed be lucky to have Fletcher, for he would have had a lot to do with it.