Can't compare Greg & Shastri: Dravid

Dhaka: Indian skipper Rahul Dravid praised new cricket manager Ravi Shastri but said it was not proper to compare him with Greg Chappell and expect tangible differences from the new coaching staff in a short span.

"You can't go around comparing. People expect that in one-two days there will be tangible differences and we will be able to do a markedly different thing. I don't think it changes," Dravid told newspersons here on Wednesday.

"At the end of the day it is preparing people to play well. Earlier, Greg and his staff also tried to prepare us to play the game to the best of our ability. They tried to prepare us to play good cricket. That's what this coaching staff is also doing," Dravid said.

Shastri was appointed as stop-gap cricket manager after Greg Chappell quit as coach following India's dismal show in the World Cup.

The lanky former allrounder took over the reins of the team at a five-day conditioning camp in Kolkata before the Indian players flew to Banlgadesh for the ODI and Test engagements.

To assist Shastri, Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh have been named as bowling and fielding coaches respectively.

Dravid said there were varying theories and ways of playing the game, but they take time to evolve.

Dravid avoided a query on Shastri's reported observation that the players were not enjoying the game during the past six months when Chappell was at the helm of affairs.

Praising Shastri, he said "he told us that there is not much magic he can do in such a short camp. He has brought in some of his experience and knowledge, having played the game for the country, commented and watched cricket around the world for so many years now".

Shastri was trying to pass on the knowledge to the players "we are enjoying our time," he said.

Asked about the impact of the new coaching staff on the team, Dravid replied, "these are still early days. You have got to give everybody some time".

The senior pro said there was a good understanding between the players and the new coaching staff.

But Dravid said though coaches had a role to play, at the end of the day the players were the one on whom it all depended.

"The players are the ones who have to stand up and take responsibility for success and failure. Coaches can help you only to a certain extent by preparing you. They can't play for you".

Dravid said at the camp, the players had been given the best of opportunities to prepare themselves for the series.

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