Greg Chappell was appointed as India coach on Friday after almost a month of specualtion. The 56-year old former Australia captain has been given a two-year term to start with, and will be in charge of the team till the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
He replaced New Zealand's John Wright, who quit the post after the India-Pakistan series last month, after holding the reigns for four-and-a-half years.
Former India cricketers welcomed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to appoint Chappell because of his stature as a player and reading of the game.
Reactions of some of India greats:
Dilip Vengsarkar (Fomer India captain and chairman of the BCCI's Talent Resource Development wing): Greg Chappell is an excellent choice. He was a great player of the 1970s and 80s, with a fantastic international record and tremendous international experience. He's a man of stature and he's also got the experience of coaching Australian domestic sides like South Australia.
But I feel he should also be asked to look after the India 'A' team in order to know the fringe players better. He may be asked to do so whenever the Indian team is free of international commitments.
Chandu Borde (Former India batsman and chairman of selectors): Greg Chappell is a person who is well acclaimed by a lot of knowledgeable people and technically also he's sound. Let's hope that his contribution, tactically, would be of immense help to the Indian cricket team.
He's a highly respected person and will have the respect of the players too. He may not have played on Indian wickets, but I don't think that can be a handicap at that level with his sound technical knowledge.
I hope Indian cricket will scale new heights under his guidance.
G R Vishwanath (Former India batsman and chairman of selectors): Chappell's selection should help the team. The team would benefit from his expertise and experience.
Chappell will put in his efforts. But he can't play in the middle. Consistency from the team is important.
He is a great player and the assignment is nowadays not restricted to coaching alone; it includes tactics and other factors as well. In this background, Chappell should do well.
Syed Kirmani (Former India wicket-keeper and chairman of selectors): I am sure he is going to be a very purposeful and useful coach for the Indian team.
Chappell was a professional captain during his playing days and a hard task-master. He took every match seriously. He led from the front, and he is vastly experienced. I am sure he will be respected by the team members and they will enjoy his coaching.
Arun Lal (Former India opening batsman and the secretary of the Indian Cricket Players Association): It will be very good for the team. Chappell is the right man to carry forward from where (John) Wright left. Chappell is a good human being as well.
Australian cricket has a different dimension. I think his selection will bring new thought process and ideas into the game.
Ashok Malhotra (Former India batsman and selector): I think it was almost a foregone conclusion as he stood out in terms of experience and knowledge. I had attended some of his seminars and consider him a cricketing guru, though I would have like an Indian to take the job.
Chappell will need to be good at man-management to handle the top stars. But I think it would be even more effective if Chappell was made the member of the selection committee and given more powers.
