Ravi Shastri Wants A Say In Team Selection In Second Innings As Head Coach: Report

Ravi Shastri will continue to don the head coach’s hat for two more years after the Cricket Advisory Committee picked him for the job. A total of five candidates were interviewed by the CAC. Shastri, unsurprisingly, kept the job.

Also Read: Five Specifications Which Were Considered For The Selection Of Head Coach

Now when the coach-selection process is done and dusted, team India will look to capitalise on the opportunity and win an ICC trophy under Shastri, a dream that is yet to be fulfilled under the former India all-rounder.

At World Cup 2019, team India ended the tournament as semi-finalists, losing to New Zealand. At World Cup 2015 and T20 World Cup 2016 as well, India couldn’t go beyond the semi-final stage. Shastri now seems to be ready to make up for all the missed opportunities by also participating in the selection process as well.

A member of the CAC told India Today that Shastri’s wasn’t amused with having any say in selections and wants a say in the process.

“Shastri wasn’t amused with the fact that he was kept out of selection meetings from quite some time where only the captain sat with the selectors to pick the team,” CAC member told India Today.

“He basically suggested the team management didn’t get the players they wanted in the middle order for the World Cup. Although the team management doesn’t have a vote in selection meetings, Shastri wants both the captain and coach’s inputs to be taken in selection meetings,” the CAC member added.

Coaches do have their say in selection meeting in some nations but in BCCI, selectors only consult skipper. As per the norm, the selectors have the final say.

It remains to be seen if Shastri does have his way going ahead and is involved in the selection meetings. If this happens in future, it will be a first in the history of Indian cricket.

Also Read: N Srinivasan Preferred Virender Sehwag Over MS Dhoni For Chennai Super Kings in 2008 – Report

The selection for the World Cup 2019 squad had sparked a controversy after the selectors chose Vijay Shankar over Ambati Rayudu. During the tournament as well, the inclusion of Rishabh Pant for injured Shikhar Dhawan was also questioned. To add to it, the selectors called up Mayank Agarwal to replace Vijay Shankar, which added to the confusion.

Shastri is currently on an extension of 45 days given by the board and his second full-time term as the head coach will run from September 2019 to November 2021.

The selection process of the other members of the coaching staff will start next week.