Indian cricket's new coach Greg Chappell gave a "commitment to excellence" and demanded the same from the players.
Chappell, who was appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's six-member committee in Delhi on Friday, termed his new job as "exciting and challenging" and said he would bring in his own philosophies and plans to take the Indian team further up the ladder.
"It is going to be exciting. There is going to be lot of challenges, a number of priority issues ... my job will be to maintain and improve the quality of the team," the 57-year old former Australia captain told a press conference.
"I give my commitment to excellence to Indian cricket on and off the field. It will be a full time commitment, 24 hours, seven days a week," he said.
A world class batsman of the 1970s and 80s, with 7,110 runs from 87 Tests, Chappell said talent would not bring success to the Indian team.
"I have my own plans, but if the 16 or 18 players don't find playing for India enough to get them motivated, then it will be hard on me and them as well," he said.
"There are certain things that are non-negotiable. Commitment, preparation, discipline from players and myself, and then the talent."
"But we have to remember that we are not talking rocket science. Cricket is a simple game and it has to be kept that way.
"Players will have a big involvement in my plans and preparations. I will bring my ideas to the table, and, hopefully, the players will buy them."
Chappell said he has no problems working with former Indian players at various levels to help the team.
"I am certainly open to invite experienced, qualified and knowledgeable people, not only from India but outside as well, as when we travel and talk to the local people."
He said he had spoken to his predecessor, John Wright, in the past when the New Zealander was coach of the Indian team but he saw no compulsion to adopt his methods in his new assignment.
"I can best do what I do. I am aware of John Wright's temperament and personality that suited the Indian job.
"But what I do differently does not necessarily mean a criticism of Wright. In fact, I envy his success.
"I come with open eyes and will go with open eyes."
Chappell, who has been given a two-year contract till the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, stressed on the importance of good rapport with the selectors for the team to be successful.
"Obviously, it is important to have a say in selection. How it happens will depend on the relationship with the selectors," he said.
He also hinted at having a specialist bowling coach for the team.
"I will have to rely on others to carry out my job, otherwise after two years I will be finished and worn out."
Asked what motivated him to apply for the post a second time, he said, "Second time lucky is better than third time lucky.
"Over the last few years, India has been the driving force of world cricket off the field. And it can be the driving force on the field as well.
"So, to be the national coach and be part of Indian cricket in the next few years and take it forward is a great opportunity."
Chappell said the constant travel involved with being coach of India would not be a problem for him.
"I have to be seriously mad, or you can say I still love the game as I did in my playing days.
"I am lucky. My children have grown up and my wife is as excited and supportive of me taking up this job. She sees this as an opportunity to come to India."
Chappell said he had admired Indian players over the years.
"India has produced a number of great artists of the game. I saw the Nawab of Pataudi play in Australia. He played with one eye, and that day he had a hamstring problem, so he was one leg as well. One eye, one leg, he single-handedly took on the Australian team.
"There was Sunny (Gavaskar), Vishy (G R Viswanath), Kapil Dev, (Bishen Singh) Bedi and B S Chandrasekhar.
"The current team has half a dozen or more artists. I am lucky enough to know them individually, and it would be a great honour to share their dressing room."
