Parthiv Patel may have drawn some flak for his shoddy wicketkeeping in the first cricket Test against Australia, but former India batsman and coach Anshuman Gaekwad came out in his support of the youngster, saying he is good investment for the future.
"Who doesn't drop catches? Even VVS Laxman dropped a few. But keeping in mind Parthiv's age and his sound temperament he should be granted a longer stint," Gaekwad said in Jaipur on Tuesday.
"He will serve the Indian team for many years if persisted with," Gaekwad added.
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He also said discarded India wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia should have been considered by selectors as he is the best in the business in the current scenario.
"Neglecting Nayan Mongia is baffling because he still is the best wicketkeeper in the country," said Gaekwad, now a consultant with the Gujarat Cricket Association.
"Ajay Jadeja's re-entry into the main fold proves that there was not much substance in the match-fixing controversy or it has not been proved. Why then chaps like [Mohammad] Azharuddin and Mongia are being kept out?
"Especially, the case of Mongia is strange. He is charged with nothing and though he is the best keeper in country he is left in oblivion without being given any reason."
Gaekwad said the BCCI should at least come out with a reason and make the situation clear to Mongia so that he does not keep waiting for an elusive call from selectors.
Comparing past teams with the present one, Gaekwad said players like Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif have brought about tremendous change in the team.
He dismissed suggestions that coaches hired from abroad are treated differently from those from home.
"Although now-a-days foreign coaches get what they want -- a psychologist, physio, trainer and lap tops -- I don't think we were given second grade treatment.
"I myself had asked for a psychologist for the team but no one bothered at that time. I feel the BCCI has come to realize the importance of such specialists."
On the recent additions to Indian team's support staff, Gaekwad said, "People like Sandy Gordon may prove useful but it will be difficult for bowling coach Bruce Reid to bring about radical change in Indian bowlers in such a short period."
Regarding his tenure as Indian coach, Gaekwad expressed satisfaction with the way things went for him.
"The team was doing well and I had good rapport with skipper Azhar. But once he was removed I myself had to go because the BCCI working committee felt that the coach should also go with the skipper.
"I agreed to take up the job once again when Indian cricket was in turmoil. The team reached the final of the ICC Trophy and also performed well in other major tournaments," added.
Gaekwad said it is difficult to compare Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly because "both are different sort of persons. Azhar was an introvert and quiet person and rarely communicated with the players, but he was a good captain.
"Ganguly is aggressive and shows it with his body language too. He is interactive and loves to show his emotions, but he has matured from days when he pulled off his shirt in England."
On the lack of finesse in the Indian team despite having so many specialists, he said, "Indians are content by nature. They get satisfied too soon. If a bowler takes 3-4 wickets he will be satisfied, and if a batsman scores 40-50 he will not go for a bigger score. There is no urge to thrive for more because they are satisfied with little."
Commenting on his stint as commentator, Gaekwad said it is a tough job. "You have to be very cautious while speaking. I feel Navjyot Singh Sidhu was overdoing it. It annoyed his former teammates."
Asked to comment on the Abhijit Kale controversy, he said it is very difficult to ascertain the truth. "But as far as I am concerned nobody who knew me dared to come near me."
