I'm open to being disliked, says new Mumbai coach Sameer Dighe

MUMBAI: Former India wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe may be donning the role of Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad's coach for the first time ever, but he knows exactly what is expected of him. For, Dighe made his international debut riding on some eye-catching performances for Mumbai in domestic circuit. The 49-year-old is well aware that coaching Mumbai is a high-pressure assignment.Anything less than a title is deemed unsuccessful in this very-demanding set-up.
As coach, Dighe's first challenge is in the form of Madhya Pradesh whom Mumbai take on in their opening Ranji Trophy encounter of this season at Indore from October 14. Dighe is looking forward to his new role.
“It is a great opportunity for me,” he says. “It is a new role, a new challenge. Mumbai's culture is such that nothing less than a Ranji Trophy title is acceptable. So yeah, I am ready to take challenges head on and am looking forward to the season,” he adds.
As a player, Dighe was fairly successful for Mumbai but to be able to replicate the same success as coach, he has some plans in place. For starters, he is not here to make friends or impress as a good human being. His sole objective is to deliver and deliver collectively as a unit. And he is very forthright about what he feels.
“During my playing days, I didn't like a few coaches. But that doesn't mean you stop playing. Similarly, I know in this Mumbai squad of 15, there would be a few players who perhaps would not like me or my methods. I am open to being disliked. That is human nature. My focus will be to ignore the negatives and concentrate on the positive aspects of an individual. At the end of the day, the most important thing is results. You have to deliver. There is no alternate,” he says.
Dighe feels talking to an individual on a one-on-one basis is best for the environment of the team.
“The ideal way to motivate a player is motivate him in a positive manner. You don't need to tell a Mumbai player what to do. The important thing is to manage them, give them confidence. Try and maintain a good atmosphere. Good and bad days are bound to happen. But if we play together, get involved in each other's success, it will be good for the team. It is, after all, a team game,” he insists.
For a new assignment Dighe seems to be pretty well prepared. And why not, he is an old Mumbai 'Khadoos' after all.