Sourav Ganguly supports Ravi Shastri for second stint as India head coach

Earlier this month, the Cricket Advisory Committee, headed by Kapil Dev, re-appointed Ravi Shastri as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. The decision brought about a lot of criticism and brickbats for the selection committee. Shastri, also a former Indian cricketer was first appointed in 2017 after Anil Kumble stepped down following an altercation with Virat Kohli, the Indian captain.

The panel, which appointed Shastri for the second time, also had the likes of Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy. He edged out the likes of Mike Hesson and Tom Moody, both of whom have excellent track records as a head coach. In the meantime, Sourav Ganguly, who was a part of the CAC back in 2017 at the time of Shastri’s first appointment, shared his opinions on the matter.

Ganguly looking forward to India’s show in 2020 and 2021 T20 World Cups

The retired Indian skipper said that the CAC took a wise decision of giving Shastri a couple of years more to show his class and mettle at the highest level. “No, I think they have done well by giving Ravi a couple of years extension and I hope he does well,” Ganguly was quoted as saying in an exclusive interview with Sportstar.

Though India have won a number of bilateral series under Shastri’s tutelage, it’s the ICC trophies that have eluded them. However, Ganguly is confident that the Men in Blue will do well in the 2020 and 2021 T20 World Cup. “Hopefully now India can now go all the way in the two tournaments that are coming up (the T20 World Cups in 2020 and 2021),” he stated.

Dada is a big supporter of Indian coaches

Ganguly showed his support for Indian coaches as they understand the mindset with which the team plays. The comments were a tad surprising as Ganguly had worked with John Wright and their partnership worked wonders for the Men in Blue. But he said that was at a time when India indeed a foreign coach to guide the youngsters during the transition period.

“I am a big supporter of Indian coaches. The communication is good. They understand the mindset. I am not saying that overseas coaches are different. At one stage during the transition in 2000s we needed overseas coaches to guide young players and take a way forward,” Ganguly added.

“But I am extremely happy that our own home bred coaches are given priority which is good because they have put in a lot of effort,” Ganguly, currently a president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) mentioned.

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