Internet Desk: The hunt for India’s new coach got trickier with former Team Director Ravi Shastri is all set to apply for the post. With the BCCI extending the deadline for application for the post to July 09, the former India captain can file his application before that. The Board of Control in India was forced to extend the deadline due to Anil Kumble’s acrimonious decision not to extend his contract.
Given the healthy relation both Virat and Shastri shared among them, it would not be surprising to see them together at the helm of Indian cricket once again. Shastri, who is now in England, has made his intentions clear. Speaking to the media over phone from there, Shastri said “Yes, I have decided to apply for the job.”
However with former India captain Sourav Ganguly being a part of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), it might not be a smooth sail for Shastri. Ganguly and Shastri had an infamous fall-out during last year’s interview process when the former Team Director accused the former skipper of not being present during his interview via video conference.
A livid Ganguly had then said that if Shastri was so serious about the job, he should have appeared in person rather than appearing via video conference while holidaying in Bangkok.
The former Team Director has a great record to speak for himself. Since being appointed at a torrid time, Shastri brought a calming influence in the dressing room, winning the confidence of the cricketers back with his approach. Although he started with a test series loss in Australia, but the brand of cricket displayed by the Indians was exemplary. The team went on to win the ODI and T20 series Down Under. In the next 18 months under Shastri the Indian team won the test series in Sri Lanka, whitewashing South Africa at home, winning the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, reaching the semi finals of the World Cup in Australia and also making it to the last four of the World T20 in India.
The former left arm spinner will get a stiff challenge from another former India cricketer Virender Sehwag. Also in the fray is former Australian cricketer and Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody.