Shastri named new India coach

Trio of new coaches for India raises eyebrows

AFP, NEW DELHI: India’s new coach Ravi Shastri is expected to look for a good working relationship with captain Virat Kohli after a bitter feud saw his predecessor's tenure in charge of the world’s top Test side cut short.

Shastri, 55, on Tuesday succeeded fellow ex-captain Anil Kumble who resigned from the coach's post last month, terming his partnership with Kohli as “untenable”.

The cricketer-turned-commentator was always the frontrunner with pundits pointing to his time as India's team director from 2014-16 and warm relationship with Kohli as points in his favour.

Carrying the epithet of ‘Champion of Champions’ since his stellar showing during India's world series triumph back in 1985, Shastri has built a reputation of being a top performer on and off the field.

Since his international retirement in 1992 his determination to contribute to the team has only grown.

Coaching is not new to Shastri, who worked on an interim basis with the team during the 2007 Bangladesh tour.

During Shastri's rein as team director, India won the Test series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years and also thrashed South Africa 3-0 in a home rubber before winning the Asia Cup.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar backed his one-time teammate and fellow commentator for the top job, saying Shastri was responsible for the team's turnaround in 2014.

"After India lost in England, the BCCI asked him to come in as a team director... suddenly there was a change in the team's fortunes over a period of time," Gavaskar told NDTV.

Yet there is little doubt over Shastri's commitment to India since his Test debut against New Zealand at Wellington in 1981.

The former allrounder represented his country in 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals, accumulating 6,918 runs and taking 280 wickets in both formats during his 11 year career.

Meanwhile, some experts expressed their surprise over appointing two high-profile stars to assist new coach Ravi Shastri  and questioned  how much autonomy the former all-rounder will wield at the helm?

Shastri's appointment was widely expected but the board's decision to name ex-players Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as bowling and batting consultants raised eyebrows.

Traditionally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India allows the head coach to pick support staff and the break with convention did not go unnoticed.

"The coach has now got appendages. The BCCI has added more arsenal to the support staff," prominent cricket commentator and columnist Ayaz Memon told the news agency.

Speculation had been rife that Shastri, who served as India's team director between 2014 and 2016, would get the nod, especially given his friendly ties with Kohli.

"If Dravid batting consultant and Zaheer bowling coach, is Shastri more "team director" again?" wrote leading Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle on Twitter.

Cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra suggested Shastri's new role differed little from his old one, saying: "only the designation changes!"

A panel tasked by the Supreme Court with overseeing the affairs of India's scandal-ridden cricket board appeared pleased with the selection.

Shastri named new India coach

Trio of new coaches for India raises eyebrows

AFP, NEW DELHI: Indias new coach Ravi Shastri is expected to look for a good working relationship with captain Virat Kohli after a bitter feud saw his predecessors tenure in charge of the worlds top Test side cut short. Shastri, 55, on Tuesday succeeded fellow ex-captain Anil Kumble who resigned from the coachs post last month, terming his partnership with Kohli as untenable. The cricketer-turned-commentator was always the frontrunner with pundits pointing to his time as Indias team director from 2014-16 and warm relationship with Kohli as points in his favour. Carrying the epithet of Champion of Champions since his stellar showing during Indias world series triumph back in 1985, Shastri has built a reputation of being a top performer on and off the field. Since his international retirement in 1992 his determination to contribute to the team has only grown. Coaching is not new to Shastri, who worked on an interim basis with the team during the 2007 Bangladesh tour. During Shastris rein as team director, India won the Test series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years and also thrashed South Africa 3-0 in a home rubber before winning the Asia Cup. Former captain Sunil Gavaskar backed his one-time teammate and fellow commentator for the top job, saying Shastri was responsible for the teams turnaround in 2014. After India lost in England, the BCCI asked him to come in as a team director... suddenly there was a change in the teams fortunes over a period of time, Gavaskar told NDTV. Yet there is little doubt over Shastris commitment to India since his Test debut against New Zealand at Wellington in 1981. The former allrounder represented his country in 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals, accumulating 6,918 runs and taking 280 wickets in both formats during his 11 year career. Meanwhile, some experts expressed their surprise over appointing two high-profile stars to assist new coach Ravi Shastri and questioned how much autonomy the former all-rounder will wield at the helm? Shastris appointment was widely expected but the boards decision to name ex-players Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as bowling and batting consultants raised eyebrows. Traditionally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India allows the head coach to pick support staff and the break with convention did not go unnoticed. The coach has now got appendages. The BCCI has added more arsenal to the support staff, prominent cricket commentator and columnist Ayaz Memon told the news agency. Speculation had been rife that Shastri, who served as Indias team director between 2014 and 2016, would get the nod, especially given his friendly ties with Kohli. If Dravid batting consultant and Zaheer bowling coach, is Shastri more team director again? wrote leading Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle on Twitter. Cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra suggested Shastris new role differed little from his old one, saying: only the designation changes! A panel tasked by the Supreme Court with overseeing the affairs of Indias scandal-ridden cricket board appeared pleased with the selection.