The BCCI has formally named Ravi Shastri as the new chief coach of the Indian cricket team with former fast bowler Zaheer Khan being appointed the bowling coach for a period of two years. India-A and under-19 coach Rahul Dravid too has been roped in, as a batting consultant for overseas Tests.
BCCI Statement
- Mr. Shastri has been the Team Director in the past, and brings with him a wealth of experience, both as player and as coach.
- Mr. Khan is a contemporary cricketer who assumed the mentoring role to a young fast bowling unit even during his playing days with India. His inputs will be of immense value to our young fast bowlers, who have shown tremendous potential in the last couple of years.
- As the Indian team is to play Test cricket overseas in the next two years, Rahul Dravid’s expertise as batting consultant will be immensely helpful for youngsters.
All three appointments have been made till the 2019 World Cup.
PTI reports that the decision for the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman was not an easy one. It is believed to have been a tough fight between Shastri and Sehwag but it was skipper Virat Kohli's strong recommendation about Shastri's successful earlier tenure that swung the deal in favour of BCCI's 'Man for all seasons'.
Ganguly Gets His Way
According to highly-placed sources, former captain Ganguly had reservations about Shastri's appointment but was finally convinced by his illustrious colleague Tendulkar, who wanted the team's wish to be respected.
It was learnt that Shastri however didn't get his choice of bowling coach -- Bharath Arun -- where Ganguly pulled a coup by getting Zaheer on board.
"Sourav was brought around and convinced about Ravi after it was agreed that Zaheer would be made the bowling coach. Zaheer is such a name that no one could have possibly objected to due to his repertoire of knowledge and a fantastic relation with the current crop," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The 38-year old Zaheer played 92 Test matches and 200 One-day Internationals in his magnificent career. The left- armer took 311 wickets in Tests and 282 in ODIs. In the 17 T20 internationals for India, he had 17 scalps.
(With inputs from PTI)
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