Multiple-captain idea is burning issue at IPL
Thursday, 16 April 2009
NEW DELHI, Apr 15 (AFP): When veteran Australian coach John Buchanan recently floated the idea of having multiple captains in Twenty20, it became a burning issue, literally.
His effigies were burnt in Kolkata by fans of former India captain Sourav Ganguly who believed the concept was meant to dilute the powers of their popular 'Prince of Kolkata'.
The 56-year-old Buchanan, who had a successful eight-year stint as Australia's coach, said the new concept would be an advantage in the fast-moving shortest version of the game.
"There will always be a nominated captain, who goes for the toss. He could look after the bowling, make the changes, take care of the strategy aspect," he told the Kolkata-based daily Telegraph.
"We could also have a fielding captain, who sets the field keeping in mind the planning done for that particular match. The fielding captain complements the nominated/bowling captain.
"Both will be supported by the coach, who'll be the captain off the field. When the team is batting, the coach will be the captain."
Buchanan, cricket manager of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, sparked a worldwide debate with his concept and led to the pro- Ganguly protests.
His effigies were burnt in Kolkata by fans of former India captain Sourav Ganguly who believed the concept was meant to dilute the powers of their popular 'Prince of Kolkata'.
The 56-year-old Buchanan, who had a successful eight-year stint as Australia's coach, said the new concept would be an advantage in the fast-moving shortest version of the game.
"There will always be a nominated captain, who goes for the toss. He could look after the bowling, make the changes, take care of the strategy aspect," he told the Kolkata-based daily Telegraph.
"We could also have a fielding captain, who sets the field keeping in mind the planning done for that particular match. The fielding captain complements the nominated/bowling captain.
"Both will be supported by the coach, who'll be the captain off the field. When the team is batting, the coach will be the captain."
Buchanan, cricket manager of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, sparked a worldwide debate with his concept and led to the pro- Ganguly protests.