Kohli's Preference For Shastri Did Not Influence Coach Selection: Kapil Dev

While addressing a press conference, Virat Kohli had expressed his desire to  have 'Ravi Bhai' re-appointed as the coach

The three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy on Friday announced Ravi Shastri's reappointment as head coach of the Indian team. Cricket Advisory Committee(CAC) chief Kapil Dev cleared that Kohli's backing did not influence the decision. "Not at all, because if we take his (Kohli's) views we would have taken the entire team's views too. We haven't asked anyone. There was no scope for that," said Kapil when asked if the skipper's preference influenced the final decision. While addressing a press conference, Virat Kohli had expressed his desire to  have 'Ravi Bhai' re-appointed as the coach. "Well, the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee headed by Kapil Dev) has not contacted me on this. But all of us share a great camaraderie with Ravi bhai and would definitely be very happy (to have him around)," Kohli had said prior to his departure for the West Indies, making it clear where he stands on the issue. Since he came back in July, 2017 replacing Anil Kumble, whose differences with Kohli came out in the open, Shastri's coaching record has been phenomenal. India have won 13 out of 21 Tests, 43 out of 60 ODIs and 25 T20 Internationals out of 36 on his watch. Going by what India's first World Cup-winning skipper said, Shastri's communication skills may have played a big part. "All of them were excellent. Sometime I felt Shastri had more skills of communication, they may have felt differently but we didn't discuss about that, we have given the marks after listening to their presentations. "We all three have learnt so much, knowing how much hard work they have put in their presentation," Kapil said. Shastri pipped former India teammates Robin Singh and Lalchand Rajput along with former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson and Australian Tom Moody to the post. Former West Indies and Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons pulled out of the race, citing personal reasons. Asked about the advantage Shastri had over others, Gaekwad said, "Basically, being the current coach, knowing the boys well, knowing the problems well in the team and what needs to be done. "I think he is well-versed with the entire system. If somebody knows the system, knows the players well and can communicate well, I think he has the advantage." (With PTI Inputs)