Chappell may get second innings - Video
Before a much-hyped meeting of the BCCI here today, Chappell admitted that he was to be partly blamed for the Indian team's inglorious exit from the World Cup. Skipper Rahul Dravid too was willing to accept responsibility on behalf of the team for its poor performance.
The top brass of BCCI, led by its President Sharad Pawar heard tour reports of Chappell and Sanjay Jagdale, manager of the team that returned from the West Indies after failing to qualify for the Super Eights.
The surprise came at the end of a three-hour meeting of office-bearers of the BCCI -- Pawar stating that Chappell could be associated with Indian cricket to help implement a long-term plan for development of the game.
That set off speculation that the former Australian captain may be offered the role of a consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore despite his bitter proxy war with senior players including Sachin Tendulkar, who had voiced his anguish over the coach's remarks.
Chappell, who was planning to leave for Singapore tonight on his way back home, is believed to have put off his departure. He is said to be unwell.
The ex-coach will thus be at hand when the BCCI Working Committee meets here tomorrow to take major decisions on the appointment of captain, coach and other officials.
Updated at 1900 hrs: Greg Chappell has taken part of the blame for India's World Cup debacle in his report submitted to the BCCI today.
Chappell has pointed out the shortcomings of the team, and suggested measures to improve Indian cricket, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.
Shah said Chappell made a detailed presentation on his experiences with the Indian team over the last 22 months. "As the coach, he, too, felt that he was partly responsible for the poor performance. He emphasised the need to promote youngsters and concentrate on fitness and strength for the team to do well in fielding and running between the wickets," Shah said.
He also said that BCCI president Sharad Pawar complimented Chappell on his role as the coach of the Indian team and his professional approach.
Pawar was of the opinion that Chappell could be associated with Indian cricket and help in the implementation of a long-term plan although he was no more the coach, Shah said.
In his report, Chappell confined himself to issues and did not make reference to individual players, Shah said.
Team manager Sanjay Jagdale in his report explained the performance of the team in the tournament, and was of the opinion that the entire team, particularly the batsmen, failed in the matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
"He, too, was of the opinion that youngsters should be inducted to improve our cricket," Shah said.
Captain Rahul Dravid told the committee that the team left for the World Cup with high hopes but failed to do well. He accepted responsibility on behalf of the team for the poor performance, which led to the early exit of India from the World Cup.
Dravid offered suggestions for the improvement of Indian cricket, Shah said.
Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar felt that the team did not perform to potential. He was of the opinion that BCCI should strengthen domestic cricket and create a pool of 25-30 cricketers from which the Indian team could be selected.
Chappell, who resigned as coach on Wednesday, waved to reporters before leaving the Wankhede stadium, the venue of the crucial BCCI meeting.
The meeting has been convened to review India's disastrous campaign in the World Cup and take remedial measures.
Captain Rahul Dravid and manager Sanjay Jagdale, who will also present his report, were still inside.
Chappell is scheduled to leave for Singapore tonight. After spending a few days in Singapore, he would leave for Australia.
Update at 1100 hrs: The crucial two-day conclave of the Cricket Board commenced here today to chalk out the future course for Indian cricket which is at the crossroads following the World Cup debacle and coach Greg Chappell's resignation.
The endeavour began with the fact-finding meeting involving the outgoing coach, captain Rahul Dravid, manager Sanjay Jagdale and selection panel chief Dilip Vengsarkar who are closeted in a Cup review sitting with the BCCI's office bearers headed by president Sharad Pawar.
Chappell, who had put an end to his tempestuous and controversy-ridden 22-month stint by intimating Pawar of his intention not to seek renewal of his expired contract, and Jagdale are slated to submit their tour reports to the Cricket Board's mandarins at the first meeting.
After this opening session, the office bearers are set to meet seven former captains in the afternoon to find out the exact course that needs to be charted out for Indian cricket to pull itself out of the morass it has slipped into.
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First Published: Apr 07 2007 | 12:06 AM IST