Sourav Ganguly wasn’t present when I was interviewed: Ravi Shastri

New Delhi: When the BCCI announced that 57 candidates applied for the post of head coach of Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri was leading the race by a handsome distance as he fulfilled all the nine conditions set by the board. But then, Anil Kumble pipped him for the top job, despite not fulfilling one very important condition that required the potential candidate to have experience of coaching an international side. And Shastri is disappointed for being sidelined in favour of Kumble despite doing a decent job during his 18-month stint. “I was very disappointed. Disappointment because the hard work entire unit had put in in the last 18 months,” Shastri was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. “To see where they were when the support staff and I took over and to where they reached in 18 months makes me feel proud. “They got up, threw punches and ended up where they were. No 1 in Test cricket, No 1 in T20, No 2 in ODI. You can’t ask for more. “Even I didn’t’ expect such a transformation in 18 months with this young team. “I feel really proud. I was honest, worked hard along with the support staff, and the players were fantastic. “You look during those months with the BCCI being hammered in the court and media for various reasons, cricket was the shining light. People really took to watching the way Indian team was playing,” he added. Shastri also revealed a somewhat shocking detail of his interview with the cricket advisory committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly. Former India all-rounder said Ganguly wasn’t present during his presentation. “Ganguly wasn’t there when I was interviewed,” Shastri said. When asked if he sought an explanation on Ganguly’s absence, Shastri said, “That I can’t ask na. I responded to the questions asked and as I told you there was some good questions from the three, and it was a great meeting.” Shastri’s revelation gives a push to the theory that selection panel was biased in favour of Kumble. The issue may or may not become big but it has put a question mark on the credibility of selection process.