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Ravi Shastri wants Sachin Tendulkar as Team India’s consultant

Reports have earlier suggested that Sachin Tendulkar was the only member from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), who had pressed for Ravi Shastri's appointment as Team India's head coach.

Sachin Tendulkar (left) and Ravi Shastri
Sachin Tendulkar (left) and Ravi Shastri

Is it time to return to favours? Reports have earlier suggested that Sachin Tendulkar was the only member from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), who had been pressing for Ravi Shastri’s appointment as Team India’s head coach. He even pressed for the former all-rounder in 2016 when Anil Kumble slipped past in the race. According to a report in Indian Express, Shastri, now the head coach of the side, wants Tendulkar as Team India’s consultant for overseas tour.

Tendulkar, alongside Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, is part of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which recommended the names of Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan as consultants. However, Shastri, already the current Indian players’ favourite, has made his intent clear to have his own team for the job. Bharat Arun and Sanjay Bangar are named the bowing and assistant coaches respectively. The duo was the core team under Shastri during his stint as the Team Director. There is no clarity over the roles of Dravid and Zaheer yet. ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri to pocket over INR 8 crore per annum as India’s head coach?

Shastri will reportedly pocket INR 75 million (12.5 million more) annually for his role. The increased salary is to compensate the former cricketer for giving up his role with media and commentating. Bangar, who has been promoted from being the batting coach, will now pocket INR 22 million, while Arun will get INR 20 million annually.

The report quotes Shastri clarifying the confusion over the support staff. He stated, “I was in England and watching tennis. I was very clear in my mind what my core team would be.”

Shastri did not rule out the possibility of Dravid and Zaheer joining the team and left the situation open-ended. Earlier, the CAC in a letter to COA chief Vinod Rai had mentioned that Shastri was consulted before naming Dravid and Zaheer as consultants.

“All depends on their availability; it depends on the individual, how many days they want to give to the team. Their inputs will be invaluable and they are most welcome. I have spoken to both gentlemen personally… They are fantastic cricketers. They can be on board once they speak to these concerned authorities,” added Shastri leaving things to continued ambiguity.

Sources have mentioned that BCCI are working on the terms set by Dravid and Zaheer. While Dravid, the coach of India Under-19 and A side, does not mind the extra responsibility and is only willing to work with national players in pre-series camps, Zaheer reportedly has committed his availability for 25 days in a year as he wants to continue playing in the IPL.

This, however, is what Shastri wants. Tendulkar has not been approached by BCCI and more details (in what designation and what capacity) are awaited on the same. Meanwhile, the India team led by Virat Kohli will depart for a full series in Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The first Test begins on July 26.

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