Addressing the Indian media in a press conference on the eve of Indian cricket team’s departure for the tour of Bangladesh Ravi Shastri made it clear that he was at the helm of the team and the man in charge for the team after being retained by the BCCI as the Team Director for the Bangladesh tour.
Ravi Shastri: India does not need a coach
Ravi Shastri asserted the media saying that he might he there associated with the team longer than expected. He said, “After we return from Bangladesh, I will sit with the BCCI officials and decide on the future. I don’t rule out anything”.
Ravi Shastri feels that there is no urgency for a coach at this stage for the Indian team. Ravi Shastri is probably the best judge of that as he has been with the cricket team as Team Director after India suffered a 1-0 lead to England and lost the series 1-3 last year.
He also took a swing at the rumours surrounding him and his role with the cricket team lately. Ravi Shastri firmly said, “Speculation, perception is media’s problem not mine. As far as a coach is concerned, we don’t need one”. Stressing on his own capabilities and leadership, Ravi Shastri said, “We have got three coaches we do not need another coach. I will double up as the head coach if need be so there is no issue whatsoever”.
Referring to the newly formed advisory committee, Ravi Shastri feels that there is a lot of quality which will help Indian cricket on the long run. He said, “These guys have been there for a long time and I sure they will have a huge contribution to make”. He added, “I will have a chance to sit with them as well as the BCCI and take forward”.
Ravi Shastri is also pleased with BCCI’s decision of appointing Rahul Dravid as the Under-19 and India team ‘A’ coach. He said, “I have already had a chat with Dravid. There cannot be a better man for the job. He will be with the youngsters and that will help the junior team too”.
Ravi Shastri also welcomed Harbhajan Singh back into the squad and said, “The Indian bowling unit will be stronger with his inclusion”. Harbhajan Singh is bound to attract a lot of attention in this tour not just because of his surprise inclusion in the team but also with the kind of pitches the games will be played on.
Harbhajan Singh who makes a comeback into the squad after almost a gap of two year said, “I always believed that I will come back. Some of my seniors kept pushing me saying that you still have a lot of cricket left in me and I am grateful to them”. He said his role would be the same as that five years ago which is to keep winning games for India.
India is currently in Bangladesh where they will be playing one Test Match and three One Day International matches with the first test match starting on Wednesday, June 10th.
Tags: Bangladesh, BCCI, Coach, India, Indian Cricket, ODIs, Ravi Shastri, Team Director, Test Match
