Ravi Shastri Hints Sourav Ganguly Didn't Want Him As India Coach
Ravi Shastri lost to Anil Kumble for the post of Team India's head coach. Shastri was the top contender having been the team's director for 18 months
Highlights
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Ravi Shastri has a successful stint as Team India director for 18 months
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Shastri was among 57 applicants for the coach's job
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Kumble, a late entrant, was picked by the BCCI's advisory committee
Ravi Shastri is surely a disappointed man. The appointment of Anil Kumble as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has clearly left him miffed.
The former all-rounder, who is back from a holiday in Thailand, was a front-runner along with Kumble and former Australia cricketer Tom Moody to get the India job. But Shastri seems to have taken this setback on his chin.
The 54-year-old has indirectly hinted that he was not on right side of Sourav Ganguly, who was a prominent member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) appointed Cricket Advisory Committee.
According to reports, Ganguly was not available when Shastri was interviewed by the committee that also included former greats VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and ex-BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale. Ganguly was away at a book release function.
Kumble made a late entry as a candidate for the coach's job. With three teammates in the advisory panel, Kumble was always in pole position. Was Ganguly predetermined on Kumble's selection?
Shastri has told Times of India: "All I can say is that Ganguly wasn't there when I was interviewed and you should ask what problem Ganguly has with me instead of asking me.
"My disappointment (on not being appointed India coach) was there for a day and that is all. And it happened last week. I have moved on."
Shastri, who has played 80 Tests and 150 One-Day Internationals for India, expressed that he had a "very good discussion" with the other three members of the committee.
"I had very good discussion with Sachin Tendulkar, Sanjay Jagdale and VVS Laxman about the future of Indian cricket. We also spoke about the good things that happened during my tenure as the team director," said the Mumbaikar, whose international career spanned from 1981 to 1992.
"I think that our overseas performances were good. Most importantly, the boys responded well and they are hungry for success. We are not No.1 in Test cricket today only because we haven't played the format for last six months."
Kumble's appointment is for a year. India have a packed programme at home and Shastri will surely watch his 'old' boys, probably from the commentator's box.