New Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket in India named former all-rounder Ravi Shastri as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team with former fast bowling great Zaheer Khan being appointed the bowling coach for a period of two years.
Making for a star-studded coaching team, Rahul Dravid was handed over additional responsibility of a batting consultant on specific overseas tours.
"On Cricket Advisory Committee's recommendation, we have decided to appoint Ravi Shastri as the chief coach while Zaheer Khan will be appointed bowling coach for a period of two years till 2019," BCCI acting president CK Khanna confirmed the development to PTI.
"Rahul Dravid will also help the senior team as a batting consultant on overseas tours -- specifically to countries like South Africa, England and Australia," Khanna added.
The development ended the drama surrounding the appointment since BCCI had to refute reports which prematurely announced Shastri as the chosen candidate.
The interviews for the high profile job were held in Mumbai on Monday by Cricket Advisory Committee, which consists of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
However, the announcement was put on hold as the CAC wanted to consult Indian skipper Virat Kohli and wanted him to know how coaches work.
But, the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators’ (COA) chairman Vinod Rai directed the BCCI to name Anil Kumble’s replacement by Tuesday evening.
Besides Shastri, Virendra Sehwag, Lalchand Rajput, Richard Pybus, Ravi Shastri and Tom Moody were interviewed by the CAC. But Shastri won the race to land India’ top job.
It has been learnt that it was 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'.
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," said a BCCI official on conditions of anonymity.
It will be third stint with the national team for 55- year-old Shastri, who was earlier a Cricket Manager during 2007 tour of Bangladesh and then Team Director from 2014 August to 2016 June during which India won Test overseas series versus Sri Lanka, reached the semi-finals of 2015 World Cup and World T20 semi-finals in 2016.
Ravi Shastri will be given a two-year contract and he will be in charge till the 2019 World Cup.
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