Greg Chappell could have handled media better, says John Gloster

01/27/2019

Former Indian Cricket team physio John Gloster has stated that during the Greg Chappell-Sourav Ganguly controversy, perhaps the former India coach could have handled the media in a better manner. The controversy was highly publicized and may have led to India’s downfall at 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Being the physiotherapist of the Indian cricket team for four long years from 2005 to 2008, John Gloster was around the Indian cricket for a long time. After working for the Bangladesh Cricket team for some time the Australian had moved to serve the Indian cricket in the year 2005.

“I’ve been through various phases in the Indian cricket team,” he told The Hindu on Saturday.

“Greg had a fantastic eye for talent, had a long-term vision for Indian cricket. He saw a transition phase coming and had guys like Dhoni, Suresh Raina and others ready. He cared for Indian cricket. In fact, I would say that Kirsten and the Indian team benefited from the fruits of Greg’s vision, in the 2011 World Cup.”

The controversy between the Indian Cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly and then coach Greg Chappell dis considered one of the darkest days in Indian cricket. On his part, Gloster felt that there was a misunderstanding between both of them because perhaps the Ganguly expected more support from the coach when he was going through a rough patch of form.

“Greg could have handled the media better. But he left his imprint in Indian cricket.”

“Perhaps, Sourav expected more help from Greg when things were not working for him as a batsman. Then, probably, Greg was not happy with the team he got in the 2007 World Cup and things started going downhill.”

Then there was another bad publicity the Indian team received when they toured Australia in 2007. But Gloster felt that then captain, Anil Kumble handled the situation in a calm manner.

“There was a lot of confusion about who said what. Kumble was the captain and he handled the situation calmly; he bought time.”

Gloster also explained that MS Dhoni was a very smart captain and added that India’s T20 World Cup victory brought the much-needed relief as the team had slumped to a first round exit from the tournament earlier in the year at the ICC Cricket World Cup.

“shrewd, smart captain who thought on his feet. That was a momentum-shifting victory coming soon after a nightmarish ODI World Cup.”