Calm and collected as always, Baskaran answered every query dispassionately. Never for a moment he allowed the seething anger within to erupt into a lava of anguish. ``I wish Kaushik (his successor) and Indian hockey all the best. It is the IHF's decision to change the coach. So, what can I say ?'' he responded quietly.

But as he warmed up to the interview, he admitted that he was made the scapegoat for the disaster at Utrecht World Cup. ``In other countries, players are dropped for non-performance. But in India, it's different. I do not agree that I alone wasresponsible for India finishing ninth in Utrecht. Yes, as a coach, I accept some responsibility. But the fact remains that the players contributed as much to the debacle. Now I am told that all those players have been included in the probables list,'' he said.

The Padma Shri and Arjuna Award winner pointed out that he was given a team containing several unfit players.

When asked whether he was surprised at his ouster, Baskaran replied with a wry smile: ``I am surprised at the way they (the IHF) went about. Yes, as a hockey player, it hurts. They know I am an easy-going person and they did not take me into confidence in assessing the team's performance at Utrecht. ``I do not want sympathy. Everybody knows that you cannot hold just one person responsible for a bad performance. Everything is a team effort, and that includes the federation also. Our biggest problem is lack of planning. Now, I feel that Kaushik has been given too many players. It is impossible to do anything worthwhile when you have to look at51 players,'' he observed.

When asked whether he would take up National coaching assignment again, Baskaran said: ``It depends. Certainly, I will not agree for a short-term assignment. But let us see.''