NEW DELHI: Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to urge Ravi Shastri to continue as team director while Duncan Fletcher too will continue as head coach of the side till the ICC World Cup.
Appointed as Team India director after a horrendous Test series in England, former cricketer Shastri played a key role – one acknowledged by several players – in the following ODI series.
India lost the Tests 3-1 but won the ODIs 3-1 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India reportedly wants Shatri to continue the good work till the World Cup next year.
BCCI officials regard Shastri as a crucial reason for India’s turnaround in England and that his communication skills and expertise as coaching director is invaluable.
“He took charge at a very short notice and made a huge difference. If he stays on, it will be a big boost for our team. We will sit with him and discuss how to take it forward,” sources said.
Interestingly though, the report says coach Duncan Fletcher is also likely to remain.
Shastri has previously backed Fletcher and had hinted that he would speak positively about the Zimbabwean in his report to BCCI. “He is tremendous. He would have done over a 100 Tests as coach, which is massive. He is technically very sound. He is a solid character. He is respected. He is a fatherly figure,” Shastri had said.
With the World Cup in less than five months, cricket experts feel an overhaul in the coaching staff is quite unexpected and may do more harm than good. Continuing with the existing arrangement then, seems the way forward – especially if Board sources are to be believed.
Interestingly, it can be noted that skipper MS Dhoni had said during the ODI series that Fletcher will stay on as the coach, a statement which hadn’t gone down too well with some board officials. But the ODI victories have made a significant difference.
The BCCI is also happy with the inputs of Bharath Arun, Sanjay Bangar and fielding coach Sridhar. “The details of it will be worked out over the course of the next few days,” source added. (Agencies)
