After Shastri’s application, Sourav Ganguly said that anybody can apply for the job

After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended the date of application for the post of the head coach to July 9, former team director Ravi Shastri, threw in his hat. And ever since this news broke out, not many have received it well.

While some on Twitter feel that Virat Kohli and his confidante Shastri pre-plotted against Kumble, others like Sourav Ganguly has come out with a comment that says anybody can apply for the post until July 9, after which the applications close.

Shastri becomes the forerunner for the post among others like Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody for the simple reason that he shares a good relationship with the Indian skipper, and also he has worked closely with the team as the team director from 2014 to 2016.

Since not many received this news well, Ganguly made it clear that everyone has the right to apply. It also becomes persistent to note that Ganguly is one of the three members who constitute the committee that has to select the new coach, the other two being VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar.

“Everybody has got the right to apply. We will find out. I can also apply provided I’m not an administrator,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI. Ravi Shastri and Ganguly were involved in a major open verbal fight after Shastri’s candidature was rejected last time when Kumble was chosen ahead of him.

Shastri had also accused the former India captain of being absent when he had given his interview via Skype. On the other hand, Ganguly had criticized Shastri for giving the interview over Skype and not meeting the CAC in person.

Kohli wants Shastri? 

It is being widely assumed that Kohli wants Shastri at the helm since the two share a good rapport. But if seen in a positive light, this can yield dividends for the team.

“It is no secret that skipper Virat Kohli wants Shastri back at helm and Shastri was spoken to so that he applies for the interview process, but the former team director isn’t willing to be in a position where his claim is rejected again. He has made it clear that he will speak to the BCCI or CAC on this matter only if he is given a guarantee that he will be handed the job. There is no question of joining a queue and hoping that he is considered for the post,” a BCCI official told CricketNext.