Ravi Shastri to apply for coach's position only if given a guarantee of being elected

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has made it clear that he will consider to be the coach of the Indian team only if the board guarantees him of the job. Shastri did not apply for the job yet but could still be in contention if the Chief Advisory Committee (CAC) deems him fit for the job. But the former team India manager is in no mood to stand in the queue.

Interestingly, back in 2016 when the head coach of the Indian team was to be selected, the two final names that the BCCI had boiled down to were Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble. However, it was Kumble who was appointed as the coach. Now, with Kumble stepping down from the position, the vacancy comes to the fore again. Clearly, Ravi Shastri does not want to be rejected. As per the reports in News18, an official quoted that Shastri has made it clear that he will not be willing to apply to see himself being rejected again.

“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,” the official quoted.

Announcement of the new coach

Among the forerunners for the post of the new head coach, the names that are in contention are Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh, Richard Pybus, and Virender Sehwag. The official said there is no discussion of anybody reapplying for the post. The team will get the new coach before they head to Sri Lanka in July this year.

“I don’t want to discuss this matter – (re-application for post of coach) – as it is a call that has been taken keeping the on-going situation in mind. All I can guarantee is that the Indian team will get a new coach before the Sri Lanka tour and whoever is handed the job will get a contract till the 2019 World Cup,” the official quoted.