New Delhi: Team India’s former director Ravi Shastri is a disappointed man after losing out to Anil Kumble in the race for the high-profile job of head coach. The former all-rounder was one of three front-runners along with Anil Kumble and former Australian cricketer Tom Moody for the post.
Back from a long vacation in Thailand, Ravi Shastri, during interviews to various leading dailies, has hinted that Sourav Ganguly, who was a crucial member of the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee, didn’t want him to be appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team.
Ganguly was not present at the Taj Bengal on June 21, when Ravi Shastri was interviewed. Instead, he was attending the state association’s working committee meeting at the Cricket Association Bengal at that time.
“Ganguly wasn’t there when I was interviewed,” Shastri told The Indian Express. Ganguly was a key member of the advisory committee that also included Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and BCCI convenor Sanjay Jagdale.
During his interview to the Times of India, Shastri was asked about the reason why Sourav Ganguly was not present at the time of his interview.
“All I can say is that Ganguly wasn't there when I was interviewed and you should ask what problem Ganguly has with me instead of asking me,” Shastri replied.
On the other hand, media reports suggest that Ganguly, who had himself lost to Shastri in the race to become Indian team’s head coach a year ago, left no stone unturned to ensure that the former team director did not get a second term.
Ravi Shastri, in his international career which spanned from 1981 to 1992, played 80 Test matches and 150 ODIs for India and he stays proud of his stint as the team director.
