Ravi Shashtri to retain his post as head coach: report

Mumbai: As per a report by Mid-day, Anshuman Gaekwad, a member of the three-member ad-hoc panel that is vested with responsibility to hire new coach and support staff, has indicated that Ravi Shashtri might still be the head coach for India.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) appointed former women’s captain Shantha Rangaswamy, Anshuman Gaekwad and former World Cup Winning all-rounder Kapil Dev after the Committee of Administrators cleared them from any issues related to conflict of interest.

Shashtri and his support staff were asked to re-apply for their respective posts after their tenure came to an end, following which they received a 45-days extension period. Despite the re-application, Gaekwad stated that Shastri will not be replaced since he has had a good stint with the Indian team.

“Speaking purely from the results perspective, he has done quite well. So, besides Ravi, all other positions [in the coaching and support staff] in my opinion are open depending on who is applying, their credentials and whether they meet the criteria of the BCCI,” former India coach Gaekwad told to the Mid-day.

As the interview, which is scheduled in mid-August, gets closer, the former Indian cricketer said that recruiting new coach and support staff is not easy at all.

 “It looks easy from outside, but it is not. There are minor things that are very important. Compatibility with the captain and other players is an important aspect. Man-management is the most important factor because technically, there is very little that you do at the highest level. And I know how important man-management is from my personal experience as a coach,” Gaekwad said.

Lastly, Gaekwad’s statement clearly suggests that bowling Coach Bharat Arun will stay on while batting coach Sanjay Bangar is likely to be sacked. The last deadline for submitting the applications is July 30.