Former coach Jason Gillespie discusses Pakistan cricket‘s struggles, suggests India will fear playing Oz in Champions Trophy
DUBAI: For someone who coached them for a few months last year, former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie is pained at Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy despite being hosts.
In an exclusive interview with TOI while speaking from his hometown Adelaide, Gillespie, who took 259 wickets in 71 Tests and 142 scalps in 97 ODIs between 1996 and 2006, shares his thoughts about Pakistan cricket, which is still close to his heart. The 49-year-old also believes India can beat “one-dimensional” England in England in the Test series this summer.
Excerpts:
What is basically wrong with Pakistan cricket? In the last three years, they’ve had 26 different selectors, eight coaches and four captains. Yet, the results haven’t improved…
This is a crazy number, isn’t it! There’s too much short-term thinking at the Pakistan board level. There is a fear of failure amongst players because changes are made at board level on players, coaches, and selectors constantly. There is no consistency. The Pakistan Cricket Board needs to leave the running of the cricket side of things to people that know cricket.
What is wrong with Babar Azam? He was amongst the best batters in world cricket till a few years back?
Babar is a fine player. Expectations on him by everyone are huge, and he just needs to be supported and backed.
Pakistan has three world-class pacers in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, but all three have been expensive at times and ineffective too. What is it that they are doing wrong?
They are fantastic bowlers. All the players have little things they can improve on. When the conditions suit them, they are fantastic. When the conditions are more batting-friendly, they still bowl well; they just need to close out overs a little bit better by executing their defensive plans.
Considering India’s dominance, has the rivalry with Pakistan lost its sheen?
The rivalry will never fade. Pakistan has a deep pool of fantastic cricketers. They just need a platform to shine.
Sunil Gavaskar recently said even India’s B team can beat Pakistan. Shoaib Akhtar felt there seems to be no new talent in Pakistan?
No, I don’t agree that there’s a lack of talent in Pakistan. If the selectors pick the right players and the selectors and the board leave the managing of the team to the coaches, then Pakistan can beat India. There are plenty of talented players in Pakistan. Identify the talented ones, give them opportunities and support without board interference, and you’ll see a successful Pakistan team.
Do you think that India have been at an advantage in the Champions Trophy, considering all their matches are in Dubai? Is the Champions Trophy still relevant?
India have an advantage since playing only in Dubai makes them familiar with the wicket and conditions, and they have picked their squad accordingly. Secondly, yes, the Champions Trophy means a lot to players.
Are India the favourites now to win the Champions Trophy? They are already in the semis…
India will be hard to beat. They will fear Australia, though!
Did you expect Mohammed Shami to stage such a fine comeback after injury issues forced him to miss the tour of Australia? How impressed have you been with young Indian pacer Harshit Rana?
Shami is a fantastic bowler. I’m not surprised that he has done well after coming back from injury. He is a world-class performer. Rana looks to be a good talent.
Will India do well in England this summer? The players will be touring England immediately after the IPL. Will it impact them?
Yes, England are one-dimensional and can be beaten if India plan well and execute their plans. England don’t adjust and adapt to conditions when batting. They just look to score fast and hit boundaries and look to be very defensive with their field placings when they bowl. They don’t stick to a plan with the ball for very long. Secondly, playing in the IPL before the England tour shouldn’t affect Bumrah and Co; they are experienced bowlers and will adjust quickly.
The way Bumrah bowled during India’s tour of Australia recently, is this the best you have seen a visiting fast bowler bowl in Australia?
Bumrah had the best tour of Australia by a fast bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee in 1985-86. He got over 50% of India’s wickets and bowled really well, displaying pace, accuracy, and skills in seam and swing.
