Internet Desk: Rahul Dravid will not be available for the overseas tours as he will be busy with the India A and u19 commitments said COA cheif Vinod Rai
While Zaheer Khan is busy with his contract issues with Delhi Daredevils, CEO Rahul Johri said that he will be available for the tour against South Africa.
Though the U-19 world cup is next year, Dravid can be available if Ravi Shastri wants him when the senior team camps at the National Cricket Academy.
Rai also admitted that in case of Zaheer Khan, they are “struggling” to create a template in which his IPL contract can be balanced with his consultancy role.
“Earlier, there was no system in place. We are trying to set templates. Zaheer is very much in scheme of coaching various Indian teams but we can only have him after we have a contract in place.
“We can’t just tell Zaheer okay we give you a three month or three week contract and these are conditions. We have to also look into his IPL contract, media commitments,” Rai explained.
CEO Johri then added: “Ravi is in touch with Zaheer. In any case, he will be available not before South Africa series.”
Rai also wanted to clear the air about the perception that the Cricket Advisory Committee has been insulted in the process.
“The remit of the CAC was to appoint chief coach. The CEO and acting Secretary (Amitabh Chaudhary) were present when the presentations were being made and they zeroed in on Ravi Shastri.
“However, subsequently they (CAC) recommended names of two consultants (Zaheer and Dravid) and both CEO and acting Secretary were not privy,” Rai said.
“That’s the reason there was a lacunae in the first BCCI press release which stated that they have been ‘appointed’.”
Rai said that BCCI had full faith in the CAC.
“They are busy people and their only intention was to give a good coach.”