Duncan Fletcher Has Done a Good Job: Team India Manager to NDTV
Sunil Dev tells NDTV that Duncan Fletcher was always on the ground with the team and worked hard during the recently concluded Test series in England which India lost 1-3.
Under close scrutiny for India's humiliating Test losses in England, coach Duncan Fletcher received team manager Sunil Dev's backing on Friday. (Team India coaches have burnt their bridges)
Speaking to NDTV, Dev said that Fletcher took a proactive role in mentoring the players on the tour. "This is the first time I had a chance to work with him (Fletcher). I think he was doing a good job," he said. "He was busy with the boys and he was always on the ground." (Also read: Duncan Fletcher, Joe Dawes oversee India's training ahead of ODIs)
Following their historic win at Lord's in the second Test, India went down without a fight in the last three matches to lose the five-match series 3-1. While the outcome was depressing, the margin of defeats were even more shocking and as a consequence, former India captain Ravi Shastri was appointed director of the team for the five-ODI series, starting August 25.
While Fletcher and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been criticized by many for the defeats, the presence of wives and girlfriends with Indian cricketers had also raised several eyebrows. Asked if his permission was sought to allow partners to accompany cricketers, Dev denied giving any sanctions. "I was not told. It was the Board's decision, not mine, that who are coming and staying with them (Indian cricketers)," he said. (Also read: 'Not in our culture to allow girlfriends on cricket tours')