Team India coach Duncan Fletcher's contract extended by 1 year

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended India coach Duncan Fletchers' contract by one year, taking the decision in its Working Committee meeting on Friday.

Doubts were raised over Fletchers' appointment after India lost back-to-back overseas Test series in England and Australia - tasting defeat in eight consecutive Tests. However, BCCI's decision to extend his contract ended all speculations surrounding the Zimbabwean's tenure - which started after Gary Kirsten quit the job following India's World Cup win in April 2011.

Under Fletcher, India not only lost their No. 1 Test ranking but also failed to make it to the knockout stage of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. His record isn't too great either. Of the 20 Tests India have played since Fletcher's appointment, India have won seven and lost 10. In ODI cricket, though, his record is much better - winning 25 of the 44 matches. In T20s, India have won nine matches with Fletcher and lost eight.

BCCI took the decision at its Working Committee meeting on Friday despite India\'s dismal overseas Test record since the Zimbabwean took over.

"The working committee decided to extend Fletcher's contract by one year. Since he has been with the team for two years, we don't want to take a knee-jerk reaction considering the next big Test series is in South Africa. It will be risky and unfair on a new coach to give him charge in South Africa and expect good results from him," a senior BCCI member told PTI.

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