'Commitment 24x7'

Indian cricket's new coach Greg Chappell today gave a "commitment to excellence" and demanded the same from the players in their desire to succeed and move forward.

Chappell, who was appointed by the Board's six-member committee, termed his new job as "exciting and challenging" and said he would bring in his ownphilosophies and plans to take the Indian team further up the ladder.

"It is going to be exciting. There are going to be lot of challenges, a number of priority issues ... My job will be to maintain and improve the quality of the team," the 57-year old former Australian captain toldreporters.

"I give my commitment to excellence to Indian cricket on and off the field ... It will be a full time commitment, 24 hours, seven days a week," he said.

Chappell, a world class batsman of the 1970s and 80s with 7,110 runs from 87 Tests, said talent would not bring success to the Indian team.

"I have my own plans but if the 16 or 18 players don't find playing for India enough to get them motivated, then it will be hard on me and them as well," he said.

"There are certain things that are non-negotiable. Commitment, preparation, discipline fromthe players and myself, and then the talent."

Assessing the past and recent performances of Saurav Ganguly's men, Chappell said the team that reached a World Cup final must have it in them to be the champion side but sometimes mere desire was not enough.

"I suppose it is the will, determination and discipline and the talent," he listed as characteristics of a world beating team.

"The preparation has to be spot on. We can't have players working harder for the sake of working harder. We need people who work harder and smarter.

"It has to be a combination of both, we have to get the correct balance, it is going to be a man management process.

"I can't guarantee that I will always get it right but will get it right more often than not.

"Playing has its own challenges and idiosyncrasies. Coach cannot have a direct impact ... But what is needed is consistent effort and commitment."

Chappell has his own theories on the concept of coaching. He is vocal about the need for cricketers to go back to the days of unstructured learning to make themselves better players.

The coach said he would certainly share his thoughts with the Indian team.

"There are a number of issues that I will talk with the players in due course. My knowledge and philosophies, some will be different.

"But we have to remember that we are not talking rocket science. Cricket is a simple game and it has to be kept that way. "Players will have a big involvement in my plans and preparations. I will bring my ideas to the table, and hopefully the players will buy them."

Chappell said he had no problems in working with former Indian players at various levels to help the team.

"I am certainly open to invite experienced, qualified and knowledgeable people, not only from India but outside as well,as when we travel and talk to the local people," he said.

He said he had spoken to his predecessor John Wright in the past when the New Zealander was coach of the Indian team butsaw no compulsion to adopt his methods in his new assignment.

"I can best do what I do. I am aware of John Wright's temperament and personality that suited the Indian job.

"But I what do differently does not necessarily mean a criticism of Wright. In fact, I envy his success.

"I come with open eyes and will go with open eyes."

Chappell, who has been given a two-year contract till the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, stressed on the importance of good rapport with the selectors for the team to be successful.

"Obviously it is important to have a say in selection. How it happens will depend on the relationship with the selectors," he said.

Chappell also hinted at having a specialist bowling coach for the team.

"I will have to rely on others to carry out my job. Otherwise after two years I will be finished and worn out." 

The Aussie said Ganguly will soon bounce back from his bad form with the bat. "He is a strong-willed person. He has the talent and it will not be long before he is back among runs," said the veteran who had helpedthe skipper sort out some of his batting problems in the past.

Asked if India needed two captains for Test and one-day cricket, he said, "It is a more stable system to have the same captain leading in the two forms but there might be situations when we have to have two captains.

"We cannot be closed to either one of the two options."

PTI