<p>Soon after taking charge from Whatmore as NCA Director (Cricket Operations) on November 1, Patil made his intentions clear, when he said that his main focus would be to create a pool of players who can be thrown into the rigors of international cricket at anytime.<br />"It will be my responsibility to strengthen the reserve strength for replacements in Indian cricket. We should not get into a situation like how Australia find themselves in in the ongoing one-day series. We need to have players ready to play international cricket at any given time," Patil said while addressing the media here today.<br />He, however, refused to set any specific goal for himself, saying he would like to carry forward the good work done by Whatmore and his team.</p>.<p>"I have just about started going through the journals of the NCA. Dav Whatmore and his team have done a commendable job over the last two years. Honestly, I would be happy to do just ten per cent of they have achieved. I would like to take it forward and produce outstanding cricketers from the NCA stable," said the 53-year-old, who scored a blistering 174 against Australia at Adelaide in 1981. </p>.<p>Patil also thanked the Cricket Board (BCCI) for providing him an avenue to utilise his experience and said now it was his turn to give it back to the game.<br />"I thank the BCCI for giving me this huge responsibility of shaping the careers of aspiring cricketers.<br />"The Board has done well in providing state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure and put a good support team in place. Now, it is my turn to contribute my bit to Indian cricket," he said.<br />"Since I have 23 years of experience as a coach, I should be able to make some difference. But having said that, I must admit even now I am a student of the game and I will continue to be one wherever I am," added Patil, who was coach of the Indian team during the 1996 tour of England.<br />Event though he had a chequered innings as a player and coach, Patil hoped his association with the NCA would be a longer one.<br />"As I have had a staggered career as a player and coach, I hope to have a long association with the NCA. But this would depend on the BCCI," he said. </p>
<p>Soon after taking charge from Whatmore as NCA Director (Cricket Operations) on November 1, Patil made his intentions clear, when he said that his main focus would be to create a pool of players who can be thrown into the rigors of international cricket at anytime.<br />"It will be my responsibility to strengthen the reserve strength for replacements in Indian cricket. We should not get into a situation like how Australia find themselves in in the ongoing one-day series. We need to have players ready to play international cricket at any given time," Patil said while addressing the media here today.<br />He, however, refused to set any specific goal for himself, saying he would like to carry forward the good work done by Whatmore and his team.</p>.<p>"I have just about started going through the journals of the NCA. Dav Whatmore and his team have done a commendable job over the last two years. Honestly, I would be happy to do just ten per cent of they have achieved. I would like to take it forward and produce outstanding cricketers from the NCA stable," said the 53-year-old, who scored a blistering 174 against Australia at Adelaide in 1981. </p>.<p>Patil also thanked the Cricket Board (BCCI) for providing him an avenue to utilise his experience and said now it was his turn to give it back to the game.<br />"I thank the BCCI for giving me this huge responsibility of shaping the careers of aspiring cricketers.<br />"The Board has done well in providing state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure and put a good support team in place. Now, it is my turn to contribute my bit to Indian cricket," he said.<br />"Since I have 23 years of experience as a coach, I should be able to make some difference. But having said that, I must admit even now I am a student of the game and I will continue to be one wherever I am," added Patil, who was coach of the Indian team during the 1996 tour of England.<br />Event though he had a chequered innings as a player and coach, Patil hoped his association with the NCA would be a longer one.<br />"As I have had a staggered career as a player and coach, I hope to have a long association with the NCA. But this would depend on the BCCI," he said. </p>