It is not clear if Greg Chappell is the assistant coach under Tim Neilsen of the Ponting-led Australian team here in India, or an advisor. The designation does not matter, for nowadays people are not finicky about such a matter as long as the position is lucrative.

It becomes repetitive to mention that Greg coached the Indian team between 2005 and 2007, and resigned his position as an embittered individual. In the time he spent here, he failed to understand the Indian psyche. Fortunately, he did not have to encounter some of the Indian politicians like Mamata Banerjee and Ambumani Ramadoss, for he would have finished here tearing his hair, that is, whatever is left it.

It was not surprising to hear it being said in some quarters that Greg has no moral right to be advising or coaching the Australians, because it is a Test series against India. It has even been likened to the betrayal of Julius Caesar by Brutus. Absolute poppycock this is.

Greg knows which side his bread is buttered and is absolutely right in what he is doing. Having accepted the position of head of Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence earlier this year, Greg has his duty to do.

However, it is amazing that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not pulled up the Rajasthan Cricket Association for hiring the former Australian captain’s services. It seems one Lalit Modi can get away with anything, including the Indian Premier League. And not surprisingly, the Australian team has settled in Jaipur in preparing for the challenge ahead.

The mind games have begun with the Australians already highlighting how valuable Greg’s inputs would be to beat India. So, if and when the Aussies go home triumphant, should not the Indians be asking, et tu Pawar?  It is Sharad Pawar, of course.