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Chadha replaces Ali Irani

The long and rather controversial tenure of Dr Ali Irani as physio -- a designation that, in practical terms, meant friend, kitbag-carrier, and other things besides -- has finally come to an end.

Dr Irani, who runs a haute gym in Bombay, patronised by celluloid celebs of the ilk of Salman Khan, Sangeeta Azharuddin, Sonali Bhendre and such, had in fact made a major pitch for a further extension of his tenure. However, the recent breakdowns of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, and the controversy surrounding Irani's diagnosis of the latter's injury as rotator cuff tear when it fact it was muscular inflammation caused by a fall -- compelled the BCCI to turn thumbs down on his continuance.

Replacing him is former cricketer Dr Ravinder Chadha, of Haryana. Chadha, in fact, holds the record for captaining a state side for the maximum number of times in domestic competition, having led Haryana on 74 occasions in the Ranji Trophy. An all-rounder, he has a career record of over 3,000 runs and 100 wickets. Chadha has also served out a term as national selector.

Unlike Irani, Chadha is a full-fledged doctor, and it is this combination of his medical knowledge and his experience as a former player that he hopes will help him handle his responsibilities. Speaking of which, said responsibilities have been increased, as Chadha's letter of appointment reads "doctor-cum-physiotherapist", where Ali Irani was just the physio.

"Being a doctor by profession, handling the twin responsibilities should not be a problem for me," said Chadha, who's first term of office will cover India's home series against Sri Lanka and Australia, the triangular series involving Australia, Zimbabwe and India and, before that, the four-nation ODI tournament in Sharjah.

The appointment will be ratified only during the rescheduled AGM of the BCCI, scheduled for November 6 in Madras. However, Chadha has already received his letter of appointment.

Meanwhile, the Board is yet to decide on the identity of the physical fitness trainer for the team -- though it now seems certain that a full-time trainer will in fact be appointed. While a section of the board has been advocating the import of a trainer from Australia, the consensus appears to favour Tej Kishan Kaul, currently chief physical trainer with the Sports Authority of India, and an expert in the subject with a full-fledged degree from the Hamburg Institute of Sports Medicine, in Germany.

Kaul, it will be remembered, was in charge of the Indian team during the training camp preparatory to the Asia Cup in June, and the team was uniformly happy with him, several members waxing enthusiastic about the difference he had made even during the short 10-day stint.