World Cup winners have moved quickly to replace the outgoing Gary Kirtsen by naming Duncan Fletcher as their new coach on a two-year deal.
Following a spell that has seen them become the No.1 test team in the world, India have turned to the Zimbabwean to appoint their fourth successive foreign coach.
Those who bet with paypal will tell you that Fletcher has already enjoyed success as an international coach, guiding England to record eight consecutive test match victories in 2004. He then helped them achieve Ashes glory in 2005, defeating Australia in a test series for the first time since 1987.
It is fair to say that he had a positive influence on improving the fortunes of the England team and he worked superbly well with Michael Vaughan. It was a fantastic coach / captain partnership and Vaughan has spoken many times about how excellent Fletcher was to work with.
The 62-year-old has a very different challenge as India coach though. He takes over a side that has just won the World Cup in the 50-over format and is ranked the No.1 team around in the test match arena.
Looking at other candidates for this role, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was linked as was England coach Andy Flower. However, Fleming is enjoying his role at Chennai Super Kings, while Flower is very much settled in England.
Fletcher is the man that India have turned too though and he will do a good job according to former England skipper Vaughan who tweeted: “Great coach who will work well with Dhoni. Duncan will work well with all the talent. His biggest challenge will come from the media. He has never really understood how it works.”
There is much expected of the Indian cricket team after all and the public expect them to remain as the best team around. They also expect exciting cricket, so there is plenty for Fletcher to live up to.
Interestingly, Fletcher’s first biggest test will come later this year when India travel to England to take on his former side in an eagerly anticipated test series.