07 January,2015 07:37 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
The upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be Duncan Fletcher's last assignment as India coach. According to a top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official, the Zimbabwean's contract, which expires after the mega tournament, will not be renewed
Duncan Fletcher
The upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be Duncan Fletcher's last assignment as India coach. According to a top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official, the Zimbabwean's contract, which expires after the mega tournament, will not be renewed.
Duncan Fletcher
However, his performance as coach is not the reason for his departure, it is learnt. "Duncan's wife is not keeping well for quite some time and that's why he wants to leave the coaching job. He, in fact, wanted to leave in between his contract, but stayed back as it would disturb the team's mindset," said the BCCI official.
Miserable show
The Indian board has already begun the process of finding a new coach and has contacted several recently-retired India players for their suggestions. Under Fletcher, who took over the reigns from Gary Kirsten after India won the 2011 World Cup, India fared miserably overseas winning only a three-Test series against West Indies (1-0), losing 0-4 in England and Australia, 0-1 in South Africa and NZ and 1-3 in England last year.
In the ongoing four-Test series against Australia, India are 0-2 down with one Test to go. At home, India have been dominant except for the 1-2 defeat to England (Nov-Dec 2012).
In the limited overs format, India have a much better record. The highest point being India's ICC Champions Trophy victory in England (2013). At home, MS Dhoni's men convincingly beat England, West Indies (thrice), Australia and Sri Lanka, but lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in December 2012. Overseas, India have only lost to England (0-3), SA (0-2) and NZ (0-4).
