With the focus firmly on the cricketers as Delhi Daredevils signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nashua Titans in a glitzy ceremony here at the Super Sport Park, one man was happy to remain in the background. Having coached Pakistan twice, Richard Pybus’s reluctance to be in the spotlight is easy to understand.

The 44-year-old is now living a quiet life, helping the Titans win domestic titles and reviving his professional coaching career, which almost came to a halt after his second stint with Pakistan ended in 2003.

“After the 2003 World Cup, it was a tough time for me, professionally and personally, and I decided to take some time off,” Pybus told The Indian Express.

He later coached the domestic side Border before taking the reins of the Titans in 2005. But for a brief stint at Middlesex in between, he has stayed with South African sides. And while he did get offers from elsewhere — he was in contention for the England job that ultimately went to Andy Flower — he isn’t too keen on an immediate return to international cricket. But he wouldn’t mind an IPL assignment.

“I had an opportunity to coach Chennai Super Kings this season but it didn’t materialise due to some contractual obligations. The IPL is a possibility I won’t rule out. Taking a job depends on a lot of factors. I have got a young family and they need time as well,” he said.

The English-born coach believes that working with sub-continent teams is high pressure, given their low tolerance towards losses. “A lot happens in Pakistan cricket, with high emotions, political interventions, too many hands at different levels, and short notice for results. I remember that after signing my contract in 1999, I sat in the plane and by the time I landed, there was coup in the PCB. Things had changed suddenly, and I was told there will be no conditioning camp, no coaching or training, and I wouldn’t have any immediate control over the players.

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