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After enjoying a glittering first-class career with Mumbai in the mid-1980s, averaging just below 50 as a right-handed opening batsman, Lalchand Rajput has since retiring as a player turned into a respected and successful international coach reputed for his passion, hard work and intimate knowledge of the game.
He has been in charge of India, the India A and India Under-19 teams as well as the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. He has also transformed and led Afghanistan to Test status in his most recent success. His next challenge is to rebuild the Zimbabwe national side. After accepting a contract with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to become the men’s national team head coach, in this question-and-answer interview Rajput talks about his delight at landing the coveted job as well as the challenges that lie ahead. Excerpts:
Q: When you were appointed as Zimbabwe’s interim head coach three months ago, you seemed keen to first make some assessments before deciding on your future with the team. Now, you have signed a contract with ZC to become the substantive senior men’s national team head coach. What prompted you to accept the offer?
A: To be very honest, I had come on an interim basis as I wanted to first assess the team and its players. It was important for me to understand the players, assess their strengths and weaknesses and their attitude towards the game. The players are very hardworking and the team strives to improve their performance in every game. I think I have in the last three months seen that the players are keen to work hard. If they are keen to work hard, my job becomes easier. My experience as an international player and coach can really make a difference to this team.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing you as you take over this team on a full-time basis?
A: The biggest challenge is that I want to get the team where it was earlier because the team has fantastic players who have done really well. To have a full squad will be excellent. They will bring additional strength and confidence to the team. The likes of Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine – their coming back means a great deal.
Q: What are you most looking forward to as Zimbabwe’s head coach?
A: As I said, as a head coach I always look to add value and make a substantive difference to the team. My aim is to build a stronger team and take Zimbabwe cricket to the next level and that is my biggest challenge.
Q: Obviously being a new coach, you will want to quickly put your unique stamp on the team. What is that going to look like?
A: Hard work, team work, consistency, discipline and maintaining fitness levels would be my main focus areas.
Q: What brand of cricket can we expect?
A: I would like the team to play positive cricket, play hard and play to win.
Q: You were successful during your time as Afghanistan coach, leading them to Test status, while your impressive work in India with their various national teams as well as with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League is well-documented. What sort of techniques and strategies are you carrying over into your role with Zimbabwe?
A: My vast coaching experience should come in handy. I have worked with multiple players and teams during my career as a coach. As a coach, your man management skills are very crucial. It is important to make the players feel comfortable and work with them. The team is like a family, each player has to complement each other and work towards winning each challenge. My focus will be to keep the team united and take Zimbabwe to the next level.
Q: Your first assignments as Zimbabwe’s substantive head coach are away tours to South Africa and Bangladesh, not the ideal places to tour. What can we expect from Zimbabwe?
A: As I said, I like challenges. South Africa and Bangladesh are among the toughest tours. But I think tough tours make you and the players even tougher. So with my experience I will make the players tough and to perform better in tough conditions. That is the biggest challenge and I think we can make a difference in that. I am very excited to get on the road with this team.
Q: How are the preparations going, ahead of the away tours?
A: We have a two-month camp and one month is already gone and we have really worked hard on our fitness. We have also worked hard on our skills – batting, bowling and fielding skills. Then we had match simulation, match days on Sundays. So we have really worked on all aspects of the game because I want to make them really tough so that when they go on tough tours like that it becomes easier. The team has responded so well and that is so pleasing. The camp has helped us all. So I am putting all my efforts into preparing the players to perform better and become better cricketers.
Q: ZC believes you are the right man to take Zimbabwe forward. What does that do for your confidence as a coach?
A: I am really pleased that ZC has seen my potential and that gives me the most satisfaction and a lot of confidence to take this team to the next level, to work hard and make sure we make a difference in the coming years.
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