No need for foreign cricket coach: Manohar Joshi

Nagpur, Mar 27: Follwing Team India's debacle performance in the on-going World Cup, Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) president Manohar Joshi, here today spoke in favour of an Indian coach for the national cricket team and said there was no need for a foreign coach. "There are several experienced and talented senior Indian players who could coach the country's team competently," Mr Joshi told reporters on his way to participate in the election campaign for the Shiv Sena candidate Prakash Jadhav.

''An Indian coach will prove to be more effective than any foreign coach,'' he said.

Asked if present coach Greg Chappell should be dismissed after the team's humiliating exit from the World Cup, Mr Joshi said, ''I'm sure he will be fired forthwith.'' However, Mr Joshi was quick to add in a lighter vein, ''Please do not ask me if BCCI President Sharad Pawar should be removed or should resign.'' In reply to a question, Mr Joshi said it was for the board to decide the future of the players who had not performed well. He said the Indian team need to boost its self-confidence to perform well in important matches and tournaments.

Sounding an optimistic note, the MCA chief said there was no need to get disappointed by the defeat in one tournament, adding, the team would perform well in future, as failures are regarded as the foundation for success.

UNI