Sunil Gavaskar backs front-runner Ravi Shastri to be India’s next coach

Legendary former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar is banking on former Indian team director Ravi Shastri to win the bid for India’s next coach. The former all-rounder is leading the pack among the luminaries who have applied for the prestigious post. Shastri, who was hesitant at first to apply again for the role after being refused during his first stint, tendered his application with alacrity. It is learnt now that Sachin had persuaded Shastri to put in his candidature.

It is well known that Sachin had backed Ravi for an extension after his contract as team director expired. But his CAC counterparts, Ganguly and Laxman were against the decision. It was reported that Shastri’s lacklustre attitude of appearing for an interview through Skype didn’t go well with Sourav who rejected his extension and awarded the job to Kumble.

But in spite of that acrimony, both of them have moved on and Ravi has applied for the post a second time. Speaking on this recent development, Sunny Gavaskar reminded that Shastri’s contribution to the Indian cricket post-2014 has been phenomenal. The Indian team resurrected themselves with Shastri at the helm and the turnaround has been commendable. Sunny is also certain that Ravi will get the post.

Gavaskar’s take on Ravi Shastri

“Ravi(Shastri) actually was the one where the turnaround actually happened for the Indian cricket team back in 2014. After India lost in England, the BCCI asked him to come as a team director….suddenly there was a change in the team’s fortunes over a period of time. Now that he’s applied, he’s probably the man who is going to get the job,” Gavaskar told NDTV.

Shastri’s chance of bagging the job has been bolstered by repeated demands from the Indian camp to bring him back. Shastri was very easy-going within the dressing room and players didn’t have any issues with his coaching. Also, Shastri is in the good books of Virat as the captain had a very amicable relation with him, which is in stark contrast to Kumble.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has fixed July 9 as the last date for submission of applications for the role of head coach. The Committee will hold interviews of the applicants on July 10. The members, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman have a tough task ahead to pick the most deserving candidate.

Gavaskar spoke about Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody as potential contenders who can give tough competition to Ravi. But he pointed out that Ravi holds the edge having coached the national team earlier. He mentioned with a caution that the CAC will have to choose a candidate who can make the team feel comfortable in airing their views out.

“There’s( Virender) Sehwag, (Tom) Moody who has done a wonderful job with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (in the Indian Premier League)…yes there are candidates who are around but Ravi has the experience. Ravi has been with the team before, he seems comfortable with the team,” Gavaskar said.I would imagine the CAC would go back to a person the team feels comfortable with and give him the job,” he concluded