Chennai, May 13: As Indian cricket celebrates a long-awaited World Cup win, change is in the air. Gary Kirsten’s successful stint with the Indian team gives way to the era of coach Duncan Fletcher’s. The former England coach comes highly recommended from his predecessor and is happy to continue with the processes that seem to have worked wonders for Team India.

In his first media interaction as the Indian cricket coach, accompanied by BCCI Honorary Secretary and President-Elect N Srinivasan, Fletcher struck a confident and poised note, auguring well for the overseas challenges that lie ahead of a buoyant team

The media conference is reproduced here in its entirety.

On taking over the reins from Gary Kirsten

I had a very good chat with Gary Kirsten in Cape Town. I also [had a chat] with Eric Simons [bowling coach]. All teams work differently and it’s a new challenge for me.

On bowling being the weaker suit of the Indian side

I’ve chatted with the bowling coach Eric Simons – he is a very good bowling coach and one we have lot of faith in. We met yesterday and discussed the bowlers. You must understand that I don’t want to come in and make lots of changes. I have watched a bit of IPL, the World Cup, the series against South Africa - so I have some idea about the bowlers. But I would want to observe [them] a little bit and then make some decisions.

On his comfort level with the subcontinental environment, having a good record here as England coach

This is a difficult place to play. You just make sure you offer advice – I am a great believer [in the fact] that as a coach you offer advice and don’t be dictatorial in your approach. Players [are] willing to accept certain advice [as to] how to play. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t (laugh). I have relatively good success here and hopefully I can help.

On the factors that governed the decision to appoint Fletcher as coach (addressed to N Srinivasan)

I don’t think we can go into the selection procedure but Mr. Fletcher came highly recommended, in particular by the outgoing coach. His reputation preceded him – it wasn’t a difficult decision.

On his altercations with some celebrity England players and the plan to handle big Indian names

[It’s]something you just have to work on as time progresses. I have worked with some big players elsewhere as well and you’ve just got to develop this man-management process.

You have to gain their respect and they have to gain my respect. And that’s what this is about. Once you have that then it makes your job easier. During the stint with South Africa (as batting consultant) you just watched [Indian] players. Sometimes I find more interest in watching these players quietly off the field and just observe [them], because it interests me. Hopefully I can put what I have observed when I coach the [Indian] team.

On whether he had his sights set on the job of India coach

[I’ve] not really [been] eyeing the job. I was quite enjoying the consultancy work but what happens is when you do the consultancy work, you want to get back into it [coaching]; there are lots of times you get excited about what you would do if you were in charge of the international side. So when India approached me, it was exciting; there is lots of talent. Having observed that during stints with South Africa and New Zealand, it just sort of excited me and matters moved on from there.

On whether it was a difficult decision to take up the high-profile role

When I spoke to [N] Srinivasan, I was obviously excited but I asked for four or five days’ time just to make sure I settled down. I think there are some areas you have to be careful about because it’s a high-profile role. I made a few calls, in particular to Gary Kirsten, and I then accepted it. On whether his coaching philosophy will change from his England stint

No, I don’t think so. My philosophy has always been simple - of helping the players, trying and adding some value. As I said before, it’s not about being dictative [sic] of how I want them to play. Sure, to some degree you have to try and influence them. Gary Kirsten followed my philosophy. He came and spoke to me before he took up the Indian job. I offered him advice on how to handle situations and he took that on board. And now, by Gary sort of pushing me for this job, taking to BCCI about my credentials, he realised that my philosophy of coaching is right for India. Hopefully it’s right.

On the Indian team’s bench strength

When I came here, I saw some talent. There was this young Indian side who played New Zealand - that was exciting. At the same time, I believe if a player is good enough to play – no matter what his age – he should play. India is fortunate to have outstanding senior players. Looking around, it will be great to work with great players and some good young players.

On Fletcher’s role in the selection process

N Srinivasan:Only the five selectors have a vote.

On the senior players’ imminent retirement and the impact on India’s rankings

When you talk about some players retiring, it’s up to selectors. My job is to go out there and offer advice on how I think some situations can be handled. It will be a difficult job but I believe India have the players to stay there (No. 1 in Tests and ODIs.)

On captain MS Dhoni

It’s quite important that even before I was offered this job, I had high regard for Dhoni. I wrote a few articles which showed how I rated him as a very good captain - not only on the field but off it how he handles the players.

On young players facing the pace challenge in West Indies and England

Any coach has lots of challenges. That’s the thing we have to work on. First West Indies, then going to England where there will be lots of swing and seam. Then Australia where there will be bounce. Hopefully, the knowledge I pass on will be effective. Any tour to some opposition’s backyard is difficult. From our point [of view], going to England will be a challenge as they are playing some very good cricket. Then Australia, who are trying to rebuild. I genuinely believe that we have talent which will hold them in high regard when we get there.

On whether it will be difficult to maintain the momentum after the World Cup high

Yes, it will be difficult and that’s one of the things you consider before taking up the job. Hopefully I can add value somewhere down the line.

On whether he will accompany the team on the tour of West Indies

Yes, I am going to the West Indies with the Indian side for the entire tour.

On whether understanding Indian culture and facing the media was going to be a challenge

The challenge is coaching. I have spoken to Gary and Eric and they understand that the philosophy I have with players is the right philosophy to coach India. It was the same challenge when I went to England. Hopefully, I will overcome the challenges.

On his great Test record as coach but less impressive ODI credentials

I know that was bandied about [by the English media]. It’s quite interesting. But when I left Western Province, and went to Glamorgan – I had a better record in ODIs. If you go and look at my record there, it was I think 13 matches for Western Province that played against England sides at the first-class level, I didn’t lose a match against England. Even when I took on the role of England coach, I was always comfortable with ODI cricket; it was Test-match cricket that I was worried about. When I played for Zimbabwe, we only played a lot of ODIs. As it turned out, we [England] had a better record statistically in Tests but I am very comfortable with ODIs.

On his views on the Umpire Decision Review System

I think it’s a system that will come into play [in the near future increasingly]. Obviously there are imperfections but once those imperfections are sorted out, it will play a role.

On the prospect of being subjected to intense media scrutiny in India

There was a lot of it in England as well. I did that job for eight years. It’s an area you have to learn to accept as a part of the game.

On whether he believed in implementing the rotation policy in team selection

N Srinivasan:That’s a selection matter. He can give advice but ultimately it will come down to selections. But I am sure when the coach sits in those meetings, his take will be taken on board by the selectors.

On whether he had plans for getting a good pace attack together for India, like he did for England

It is important to have a good pace attack but it doesn’t come overnight. It took me three or four years to get there. You just need one bowler to do it and finally we found Simon Jones who was that individual then. He was injured straight off after that Ashes tour and probably never played another international. So it takes time but you must look at all the spinners that India have got and they play to their strength. Now and then you need quick bowlers but they are not easy to find. They are probably the hardest part in cricket to develop.