It certainly came out of the blue. While the BCCI were talking down the idea of appointing an Indian coach to replace Gary Kirsten in haste, the working committee meeting saw Duncan Fletcher being appointed as the new Indian coach.
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Duncan Fletcher, the former England coach between 1999 and 2007, was appointed as the new Indian coach as replacement for Gary Kirsten who completed his tenure with the Indian cricket team with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
With the Indian cricketers involved in the IPL 4 and the Indian tour of the West Indies also expected to be without a permanent coach selection, the BCCI's decision certainly caught many by surprise. However, it would seem that Fletcher will not be immediately involved with the Indian cricket team not only because of the IPL 4 but also, because he may not be available for the first assignment, as Kirsten was when he was first appointed coach of the Indian team.
Fletcher has reportedly been given a two tenure in the words of the BCCI and it would be interesting to see the player reactions even though Fletcher's name was amongst those recommended by Kirsten himself at the time of his exit.
Fletcher, who was the Zimbabwe captain during the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup, was involved over a long period of time with the England cricket team during which time England peaked to the number two position in the Test rankings, which should bode well for the Indian team currently at the no.1 Test team position. It was under Fletcher that England broke their Ashes drought in 2005.
Given that the Indians have won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Fletcher has a task ahead of him in that he will essentially furthering the goals laid by Kirsten in keeping India at the number one status, propelling them into a juggernaut while also, planning for succession which will also be a part of the process at some point in Fletcher's two year tenure.
After Kirsten's meteoric rise in profile, Fletcher, despite his reputation as consultant for South Africa and New Zealand previously, will face the heat as his every move will be compared, scrutinized and assessed as against the bar set by his predecessor.
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