CHENNAI (Reuters) - India's new coach Duncan Fletcher on Friday ruled out a dictatorial approach, saying he would rather adopt the unobtrusive but effective way that paid his predecessor and protege Gary Kirsten rich dividends.
"It's not about dictating to the Indian players how I want them to play," the 62-year-old former Zimbabwe captain said in his first media interaction after taking over the high-profile job.
"It's about offering advice to the players and it's up to them to take it on board... I am in a place where one cannot have a dictatorial role," said Fletcher, who had an eight-year stint with England, the 2005 Ashes victory being the highlight.
"I had watched the Indian team's performance in South Africa and the World Cup. But I will make my observations after being physically with the Indian team and then perhaps I can make some changes, if necessary."
Fletcher said Kirsten was actually practising his philosophy during a successful stint that ended last month with a World Cup triumph.
"Gary Kristen followed my philosophy as he came and spoke to me before taking the India job," Fletcher said.
"I gave him a lot of advices as to how to handle situations and I think he took those on board.
"Gary was pushing me for the job and speaking to BCCI about my credentials. He realised that I have the right philosophy to coach India and hopefully he is right."
Fletcher is the fourth foreigner to take over the coaching reigns of a team who shoulder the burden of a billion cricket-crazy fans.
New Zealander John Wright (2000-2005) and South African Kirsten (2007-2011) enjoyed successful stints but Greg Chappell (2005-2007) had a turbulent two years when most of the senior players had problems with the Australian's hands-on style of functioning.
Fletcher said he was up for the challenge.
"This is new challenge for me. I had a bit of advices from Gary Kirsten and bowling coach Eric Simmons. I had another chat with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It is a very exciting job, coaching the world champion team. It's a high-profile job," he said.
"I have handled big players elsewhere as well. I think you have got to develop man-management. The first thing is that you have got to gain their respect and they have got to gain my respect."
"It's not about dictating to the Indian players how I want them to play," the 62-year-old former Zimbabwe captain said in his first media interaction after taking over the high-profile job.
"It's about offering advice to the players and it's up to them to take it on board... I am in a place where one cannot have a dictatorial role," said Fletcher, who had an eight-year stint with England, the 2005 Ashes victory being the highlight.
"I had watched the Indian team's performance in South Africa and the World Cup. But I will make my observations after being physically with the Indian team and then perhaps I can make some changes, if necessary."
Fletcher said Kirsten was actually practising his philosophy during a successful stint that ended last month with a World Cup triumph.
"Gary Kristen followed my philosophy as he came and spoke to me before taking the India job," Fletcher said.
"I gave him a lot of advices as to how to handle situations and I think he took those on board.
"Gary was pushing me for the job and speaking to BCCI about my credentials. He realised that I have the right philosophy to coach India and hopefully he is right."
Fletcher is the fourth foreigner to take over the coaching reigns of a team who shoulder the burden of a billion cricket-crazy fans.
New Zealander John Wright (2000-2005) and South African Kirsten (2007-2011) enjoyed successful stints but Greg Chappell (2005-2007) had a turbulent two years when most of the senior players had problems with the Australian's hands-on style of functioning.
Fletcher said he was up for the challenge.
"This is new challenge for me. I had a bit of advices from Gary Kirsten and bowling coach Eric Simmons. I had another chat with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It is a very exciting job, coaching the world champion team. It's a high-profile job," he said.
"I have handled big players elsewhere as well. I think you have got to develop man-management. The first thing is that you have got to gain their respect and they have got to gain my respect."
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