India's 1983 World Cupper Balwinder Singh Sandhu feels it's time ICC and BCCI prevent cricketers with question marks over their names from being involved in coaching and commentary
India's 1983 World Cupper Balwinder Singh Sandhu feels it's time ICC and BCCI prevent cricketers with question marks over their names from being involved in coaching and commentary
Former India swing bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who has made a career in cricket coaching feels the men who run Indian and world cricket will do well not to appoint coaches, who have been named in match fixing and ball-tampering controversies.
|
| Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis keeps an eye on his boys training for today's T20 game against England in Wales. PIC/AFP |
Sandhu, the 1983 World Cupper said it was painful to see the likes of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in coaching positions. Akram was a bowling consultant for Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders while his pace bowling partner is coach of the Pakistan team now in England. Waqar and Akram have been accused of match-fixing and ball tampering in the past.
Sandhu also had a problem with Akram doing commentary. "It is very important for our kids to have good role models. Anyone with a question mark over his name should not be allowed to coach or commentate," said Sandhu, who coached Mumbai to victory in the 1997-98 Ranji Trophy season. He has also coached Maharashtra and Baroda apart from junior Indian teams.
"Young cricketers will start saying to themselves, 'well, if they can get away, so can I. So let's do wrong. ' "
The Sikh reckoned that young cricketers can be easy prey when they are surrounded by alleged offenders. "A corrupt coach can spot someone who is vulnerable and that can be disastrous," said Sandhu. He came down heavily on Akram, who recently called Indian fast bowlers softies. "We may be softies, but we don't indulge in
ball-tampering."
He acknowledged Akram's bowling expertise. "Yes, he was a great bowler but there is a question mark over his name.
"Now, I appreciate Hansie Cronje, who admitted that he did something wrong. But there are others prospering and will never admit their crimes," said Sandhu.
