BCCI rejects reports that Ravi Shastri has been appointed as the coach

Amidst reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had appointed Ravi Shastri as the head coach of the team till 2019 World Cup, the board’s acting secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary has rejected the news and stated that the decision is yet to be taken and that the BCCI will make the official announcement once they get the name from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).

Hours after media reports suggested that sources had confirmed Shastri’s appointment, Chaudhary interacted with the media and just denied that they have taken the call. “CAC is still deliberating, formal announcement could be made later: Amitabh Chaudhary, said while adding that “I am expecting the decision later today. There is no truth in what has been running,”

Though Chaudhary denied the reports he didn’t necessarily reject the fact that it is Shastri who will take over as the next head coach as the team. The former India team director has been the favourite ever since he put his hat in the ring. He enjoys the vote of confidence from the Indian team and the skipper in particular. With the emphasis now on the coach getting along with the team and it is the Mumbaikar who in all likelihood take over unless of course, something goes awfully wrong.

BCCI’s CAC met yesterday in Mumbai with Sachin Tendulkar joining them via Skype and interviewed five of the six shortlisted candidates since the sixth Phil Simmons was unavailable. They gave all the candidates an opportunity to make their presentations which included their vision for Indian cricket and how they plan to take it forward. Source news after the interviews suggested that Ravi Shastri, Tom Moody and Virender Sehwag made the strongest case for themselves.

While Richard Pybus and Lalchand Rajput also made good presentations. Sourav Ganguly while addressing the media said that they will discuss it with Indian captain Virat Kohli and make then sit to make a decision as they are in no hurry what so ever to name a coach.

For the new man coming in the first task will be the tour of Sri Lanka where the team will play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and a T20I starting July 26.