Bharat Arun Appointed Team India's Bowling Coach

The drama surrounding India’s bowling coach finally came to an end on Tuesday (July 18) with former bowling coach Bharath Arun making a return to the dressing room.

BCCI’s unnamed three-member committee comprising acting president CK Khanna, acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary and Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji has decided to retain Sanjay Bangar and R Sridhar as batting and fielding coach respectively while roping in Arun as the bowling coach to give newly-appointed head coach Ravi Shastri his desired support staff. Bangar, meanwhile, has been elevated to the post of assistant coach. The decision was taken after the committee met Shastri in Mumbai. India’s coaching staff’s contracts is starting from today and will expire after the 2019 World Cup.

Arun was with the Indian team in the same capacity during Shastri’s tenure as team director from 2014 to 2016. The 54-year old was also Shastri’s teammate during the Under-19 and India days.

Bharat Arun Appointed Team India's Bowling Coach

Meanwhile, there is still no clarity over Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan’s role. Both the former players were roped in as batting and bowling consultants for specific series but following Shastri’s demand of having his own support staff, the board is yet to hand them contracts. Moreover, CoA head Vinod Rai has already stated that Dravid and Zaheer were mere recommendations from the Cricket Advisory Committee and a concrete decision on the contract has not been taken yet.

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Image result for rahul dravid and zaheer

Shastri, on the other hand, said that the duo will ply their services to the board after getting the clearance from the concerned authorities.

“I’ve spoken to both, as recent as three to four days ago and they are two fantastic cricketers of India. Their inputs will be invaluable. They will be on board once they have spoken to the authorities concerned,” said Shastri.

Shastri’s first assignment as coach will begin this month when Virat Kohli & Co. fly to Sri Lanka for a full-fledged series starting with the three-match Test series from July 26.

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