Lalchand Rajput has been appointed the interim head coach of the Zimbabwe men’s team.
It’s a short-term gig to start with, running till just beyond the T20 International tri-series at home in early July against Australia and Pakistan. But, if all goes well, it might lead to an extension for the former Mumbai opening batsman, who turned out in two Tests and four ODIs in the mid-1980s.
How well do you know Zimbabwe, it’s people and culture?
I have been there, most recently with Afghanistan, when we beat them. I know most of the players as well. So it’s not a new thing for me that way. But the culture there I obviously don’t know, that will be new. But it’s the same as it was when I joined the Afghanistan team. I slowly got to learn everything and then we performed exceptionally well.
You were the cricket manager of the Indian team when they won the World T20 in 2008 – what did you contribute to that victory?
People think I was the team manager; I was not, I was the cricket manager, which is the same as being the coach. The morale in the team was very low. Greg Chappell had just been sacked as the coach and the team had failed to qualify for the second round of the World Cup. I looked at my job as mainly to prepare and motivate the players. Performances will come. And the results were there for everyone to see.
What do you think was your contribution to Afghanistan’s success, and what did you learn from the job?
They are very talented, especially in shorter versions. In coaching you are learning all the time, whether at the junior levels or at the higher levels, you pick up new things all the time. But I had the experience with India. With Afghanistan, they had very simple thoughts – scoring fast; they would score 70s and get out. My job was to help them score centuries, bat long, play for time. They are very passionate about the game. That’s how we achieved Test status. It was quite easy for me, because they really wanted to do well.
Afghanistan are making their Test debut soon – what are your expectations from them?
I am an Indian, so my heart will always be for India, but it’s a very good thing for Afghanistan; it’s what they were eyeing for a long time. Everyone wants to play Test cricket. They are living their dream. It will be emotional. Afghanistan’s time is now, but we will have to wait and see. They have some fantastic spinners, so it will be a good contest. India have to be careful. India must have a fiery pitch for the game. And then time will tell.
