BCCI clarifies that there will be no change in the support staff

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cleared all speculations surrounding the appointment of Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as the bowling and batting consultants stating that they will stick to what has been finalised by high profile Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of three legendary cricketers- Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

The CAC on Tuesday appointed Ravi Shastri as the Indian cricket team’s head coach along with Dravid and Zaheer being the consultants for their respective fields. But media reports suggested that it was a move by the CAC to curb Shastri and keep him under constant check. It was widely criticised by the people named as Sachin & Co. were hurt by this and conveyed it to the BCCI.

BCCI will stick to what has been finalised by CAC

The board’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary was asked whether the decision made by the CAC is final? He said, “We will go exactly by what the three Masters have willed.”

This happened on a day of high drama where there were reports that CAC has exceeded its brief in appointing Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan as consultants, while Shastri wished to take the call on the support staff.

In a media release, BCCI made it clear that Shastri was “consulted” regarding the other appointments and he agreed to what was offered. Sourav confirmed that a mail has been sent to the board. “Yes, we have sent a letter,” he said.

CAC spoke to Shastri before taking final call on support staff

CAC wrote a letter to CoA chief, Vinod Rai and BCCI secretary Chaudhary which read: “We spoke to Mr Shastri about getting Mr Khan and Mr Dravid on board in these capacities, and he readily agreed to the idea of having them in the set-up so that it would benefit the team and Indian cricket as a whole in time to come. It was only after getting Mr Shastri’s consent that we also recommended Mr Khan and Mr Dravid, in their respective capacities.”

“There have been suggestions that the CAC has exceeded its ambit in going with Mr Khan and Mr Dravid and these two legends of Indian cricket have been foisted on the head coach. Also, we did inform you (Rai) over the phone along with Rahul Johri and Amitabh Choudhary of all that transpired immediately after the meeting was over,” it further stated.

The trio worked regressively with full fortitude so that Indian team can get a good staff which can help the team to reach new heights.

“You will be aware that we put our heart and soul into the process, approaching a task made delicate by the recent developments with a clear head and with sole aim of providing Indian team with best resources possible to become world beaters that they are capable of being. The three of us played our cricket with great integrity, and we have brought that same trait in fulfilling this important responsibility bestowed upon us by the BCCI. While we are not looking for plaudits, we do not appreciate the tone and the falsehoods of the narratives,” CAC said.

BCCI thanked CAC

The board was grateful to the legends for their contribution and commitment towards appointing the coach for the team and commended their efforts.

“The BCCI expresses its sincere gratitude to the members of the CAC who most willingly agreed to undertake the process of selection of the head coach of the Indian cricket team. The three members of the committee have executed the assigned task with total transparency, professionalism and commitment to Indian cricket,” the BCCI said in a release.

“The recommendation for Mr Ravi Shastri was made on the merit of his presentation and the vision that he projected for taking the team to greater heights. After taking the decision on his selection, the CAC consulted him and decided on having batting and bowling consultants on overseas tour-to-tour basis, as per the requirement of the team,” it further stated.