Pakistan cricket is currently engulfed in severe turmoil and emergency-like conditions, with the board sending back seven players from England mid-tour. While losing consecutive Test matches abroad is hardly unprecedented for Pakistan, questions are now being raised about player commitment and the coaching staff's resolve. Surprisingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has faced similar scenarios in the past, executing a sudden and complete overhaul of the coaching staff during an England tour.
The Disastrous 2014 England Tour
The incident dates back to the 2014 tour of England, where the Indian team struggled through a five-match Test series. After the opening Test ended in a draw, India secured a famous 95-run victory at the historic Lord's ground. However, the momentum vanished instantly as India slumped to heavy defeats in the remaining three Tests. The final match at The Oval ended in a humiliating defeat by an innings and 244 runs in just three days. Following this debacle, the BCCI decided to clip the wings of head coach Duncan Fletcher and his support staff.
Ravi Shastri Enters and Support Staff Changes
Just a night before the limited-overs leg, captain MS Dhoni and head coach Duncan Fletcher were informed via a conference call that Ravi Shastri had been appointed as the team director. Shastri took charge for the ODI series starting August 19, 2014. Trimming Fletcher's authority, fielding coach Trevor Penny and bowling coach Joe Dawes were replaced by former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar and former Indian fast bowler Bharat Arun as assistant coaches. Additionally, former Hyderabad left-arm spinner R. Sridhar joined the support team as the fielding coach for the ODI series.
How the Team Responded After the Appointment
The Indian team, which had suffered a demoralizing defeat in the Test series, made a strong comeback in the one-day matches, claiming the series 3-1. After the conclusion of the tour, Ravi Shastri publicly backed Duncan Fletcher, stating that Fletcher would remain the head coach overseeing overall cricket operations. The 2014 episode proved to be a major turning point, as Shastri's influence within the team steadily grew, ultimately leading to his appointment as the full-time head coach in 2017.
Comparing the Indian Precedent with Pakistan's Current Actions
While the BCCI took corrective action after the completion of the Test series, Pakistan has chosen a drastically different path by sidelining its head coach right in the middle of the Test series and summoning white-ball coach Mike Heson to England. Furthermore, reports surrounding Pakistani players attempting to avoid participation using various fitness pretexts have added further chaos to their ongoing campaign.
