Reports: Ravi Shastri wants Sachin Tendulkar as Team India consultant

Adding to the latest controversy in Indian cricket, reports claim that head coach Ravi Shastri has asked the BCCI to sign Sachin Tendulkar as a consultant for overseas tours. After a lot of controversy and debate, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) finally appointed Ravi Shastri as the new coach of the Indian team till the 2019 World Cup.

Tendulkar was also a part of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) along with Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman that picked Shastri. The committee had earlier declared the names of Dravid and Zaheer as batting and bowling consultants respectively.

Shastri had emphasised that although he is happy to have the services of former India stars, he wants full-time assistant coaches of his choice. Bharath Arun, Ravi Shastri’s ex-colleague, has already been recalled by the BCCI as the bowling coach while Sanjay Bangar has been appointed as assistant coach. Arun had earlier replaced Australian cricket Joe Dawes in 2014.

According to Cricket Next, Ravi Shastri said, “The BCCI can certainly bring in guys like Zaheer and Dravid as consultants from time to time. Their experience is invaluable. But as far as a full-time support is concerned, I will need to decide on it because it is me who will be working with them for next two years.”

Sanjay Bangar and Bharath Arun will travel to Sri Lanka

Both Bangar and Arun will travel with Team India for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue will play their first Test of the series on July 26 at the Galle International Stadium. The Indian team will play three-Tests, five one-day internationals, and one T20I.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has agreed to pay Shastri a sum of Rs 8 crore. Rs 1.5 crore more than his predecessor Anil Kumble.

Shastri’s package includes his tasks with media commitments and as a commentator. Assistant coach Sanjay Bangar will get an annual package of Rs 2.20 crore and BharathArun will be given Rs 2 crore for his services.