Former australian bowler Jason Neil Gillespie. Photo Srikanta Sharma R.
The Indian team’s domination in Test cricket over the last two years has rightly earned them the No 1 status.
The manner in which Virat Kohli’s men have overhauled their opponents has drawn comparisons to the mighty Australian side of the late 90s and early 2000s. Jason Gillespie, the lethal former Aussie pacer, who was also part of the famed team led by Ricky Ponting, believes India can extend their success in overseas conditions as well.
India have enjoyed a remarkable home season (2016-17), winning 10 and losing just one of the 13 Tests. Following their 3-0 rout of Sri Lanka, India now brace up for a stiff challenge in the longer format, when they tour South Africa early next year.
“As with any team, you are judged on your results not just at home but away as well. I think India have made great strides in their cricket away from home and credit to them. That’s being adaptable to other conditions and situations. It’s [due to] the growth of players and coaching. Not a lot of countries are great travellers. A lot of teams are very competitive and play well at home but not so much away. India are certainly bridging that gap. Australia are still learning how to adapt their game to different conditions and situations,” Gillespie told DH on Wednesday.
Gillespie was here at the National Cricket Academy along with five other Australian officials to conduct a week-long re-certification programme for Level 3 coaches.
The 42-year-old had said last month that he had given a long thought before giving up the idea to apply for the post of the Indian coach.
“Be it any job, you are looking to see whether you can make a difference. You need to take into account of family situations and things like that. The reason I left Yorkshire at the end of the last county season was to bring my family back to Australia and get settled. I was asked the question: ‘Had I thought about applying?’ Yes, I thought about it. The Indian job is one of the biggest jobs in world cricket -- if not the biggest. There are only so many international coaching roles. But look, India have got the right man in place; there’s no doubt about that,” he offered.
The exit of bowling coach Ottis Gibson from the England camp has put Gillespie as a strong contender for the role. “It’s very flattering to be thought of in that way. But my commitment is to the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. I do a little bit of work for Cricket Australia too. I’ll be looking to see what other opportunities are out there in T20 leagues around the world and domestic structures and the likes. I’ve got an opportunity with Papua New Guinea at the moment, where I’m the interim head coach until October,” he said.
The New South Wales speedster was all praise for the Indian coaches at the programme. “Indian coaches are very open to different thoughts and ideas, which I think is great. As a coach you’re always learning. They are listening and asking a lot of good questions and we are having plenty of good discussions,” he noted.