It's a shame to have lost Chappell in 22 months: Pataudi

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) Defending strongly Greg Chappell's vision for Indian cricket, former captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi said it was a shame that the coach had to leave in just 22 months.

''I think it's a shame that he had to leave in 22 months because I think what he was trying to begin for Indian Cricket was a kind of shift of emphasis from individual flair and brilliance to a kind of team work which Australia is so good at, and which is why he was actually invited to this country.'' 'Tiger' Pataudi said in an interview to CNN-IBN programme 'Devil's Advocate' to be aired tomorrow.

Pataudi said by resigning, Chappell managed to take away the flak form players who had performed abysmally in the World Cup.

He lavished praise on the Aussie and said during his stint as coach of the Indian team, Chappell tried to do what he was called here for -- to help build a team, rather than focus on individual brilliance.

''What he tried to do is something that India needs, Indian cricket needs rather - which is again you know -- play as a team, and it doesn't matter whether you are Sachin Tendulkar, or you want to open or you want to bat at number 4. You go where the team, or the coach thinks, or the captain thinks that you should go.'' He, however, said Chappell got himself involved in the Board politics towards the end which ultimately did him in.

Speaking about the supposed differences that cropped up between Chappell and Sachin Tendulkar, Pataudi said that these could have been easily avoided with a simple phone call.

Asked about Chappell's strategy of phasing out old stars and resting unfit and out of form players, Pataudi said the move would have required a strong will power and courage to be implemented.

''We make the better players into icons, into demi-Gods, and then we find it very difficult to give them the sack. Who is going to sack Sachin Tendulkar - though I don't think he requires to be sacked, but if you think he does, who will sack him? You have to be strong enough and not care so much about what the public thinks, or the public feels, if you want to get rid of some of the senior players.'' Pataudi also expressed his displeasure over BCCI's decision to limit players' endorsements to 3.

Pataudi said that playing cricket was no child's play, and players who can handle pressure will be the one's who will succeed.

''I think you have to grow up. I think if you are playing a grown up game you should be grown-up enough to accept the kind of adulation that you will get in this country, and the way they pull you down also. It is not a children's game, it's a man's Game. It is sad that some people can't cope with it. One way of success in cricket in this country is to be able to cope with the pressure.'' UNI