Fletcher appointed India cricket coach

Former England coach Duncan Fletcher was on Wednesday appointed as India's new cricket coach, board officials announced, three weeks after the country won the World Cup on home soil. India had been on the look-out to replace former South African batsman Gary Kirsten who stepped down from the role following his success in guiding the cricket-crazy nation to victory. Fletcher, a former Zimbabwean all-rounder who came to prominence as a coach when reviving the England team over several years and helping them regain the Ashes in 2005, has been appointed to his new role on a two-year contract.