Dav Whatmore is in our memory more as a coach than a batsman. Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup when he took over as coach of the team. When he became Pakistan’s coach, the team lifted the Asia Cup. Similarly, when he was appointed as coach of Bangladesh, the team registered its first Test match win. That is not all. When he became coach of Kerala, the team entered the quarter finals for the first time in the history of Ranji Trophy. In addition to this, he has been coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.
Dav Whatmore is presently the coach of the Ranji team of Baroda and the sword of BCCI’s new advisory is hanging over him. BCCI issued an advisory to state associations to discourage individuals aged 60 and above and those with underlying medical conditions from joining teams either as a coach or as a support staff during Covid-19. Advisory has categorically said that Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) will be strictly followed. As a result, Whatmore’s exit is certain as he is over 60 years of age.
But the row over this has erupted between two officials of Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). BCA president Pranav Ameen is in favour of retaining Whatmore, whereas joint secretary Parag Patel has made it clear that the BCA will follow the SOP in this regard and will abide by all instructions of BCCI. Hence, row has come up between the both officials of the association.
When the dispute was brought before the BCCI, it handled the situation diplomatically. The BCCI made it clear that its job is limited to issuing advisory and ensure that SOPs are maintained in view of Covid-19. The BCCI has issued advisories to all the state cricket associations, now it is up to the association how they put everything in place keeping in vie the pandemic. The BCCI also made it clear that final call has to be taken by the state associations. With this in view, Whatmore may continue. Former Test cricketer Karsan Ghavri is in the same situation. And another former Test player facing the same situation is Arun Lal. Both are coaches of the teams which have reached the final of Ranji trophy. Ghavri and Lal are coaches of Saurashtra and Bengal teams respectively. If they made departure then their teams’ performance may be impacted.
The ideal situation would be that a couple of assistant coaches would be attached to them who in turn learn a lot from these heavyweights of cricket world. Thereupon, these assistant coaches would be able to serve their teams properly and they would prove useful for the cricketers in these teams.
Likewsie, Chandrakant Pandit, under whose guidance as coach Vidarbha team won Ranji Trophy twice, is now 58. Delhi team coach KP Bhaskar is now 57. Naturally, both of them might be shown exit door in next few years.
The BCCI’s wavering and unequivocal stand is under question. Though BCCI’s advisory to say good to coaches over 60 was in the interest of cricketers, the organisation developed cold feet over the the dispute in the Baroda Cricket Association. Safety of crickets is more important than the result. Therefore, BCCI is expected to ensure that what is ideal should be imlemented. It shouldn’t backtrack on its advisory taking cover of compromising formula.