India in Sri Lanka: Ravi Shastri to Miss Warm-up Match Due to Ashes Commitments

There is an interesting situation developing in the Indian coaching staff ahead of the team's three-Test series against Sri Lanka starting on August 12. Ravi Shastri, the Indian team director, will miss the first three-day warm-up game starting on Thursday and is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka only four days before the start of the first Test in Galle.

The reasons given for Shastri's absence is media commitments. He had skipped India's tour to Zimbabwe after seeking approval of the BCCI and signed up to be an analyst for SKY Sports in the 2015 Ashes. The tour to Sri Lanka was advanced by 10 days and this caused a conflict with his media commitment and that is why Shastri has not been seen during India's preparatory camp in Chennai.

In addition to Shastri, the other two members of the coaching staff, bowling coach Bharat Arun and batting coach Sanjay Bangar, have not been offered contracts which were promised to them after the end of the Bangladesh series.

According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, it is believed that the BCCI wants to take a decision on Shastri first. Apparently, several board members of the BCCI have reportedly said that this sends a wrong signal because the man in charge has many media commitments.

However, the BCCI is not too fussed and they have not been critical of Shastri's absence. Several players in the current squad have appreciated Shastri's contribution ever since he joined the team after India's disastrous Test tour of England last year.

This news comes amidst reports that former Australian batsman, Stuart Law, has expressed his desire to coach the Indian team. The BCCI's advisory committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman are expected to decide on a full-time coach before the marathon home series against South Africa starting September 29.

Law, who is currently coaching the Australia A team in India, said in an interview, "I would love to work with some of the greatest cricketers in the world. I had spent quite a bit of time in the subcontinent. Your first experience will always be memorable. If anyone knocks at my door and offer, I would be more than happy to sit down and listen."