Published: Sep 30, 2016, 04:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 30, 2016, 06:10 PM (IST)
Kolkata (IANS) Former India team director and a famed all-rounder of his time Ravi Shastri said captain Virat Kohli would be disappointed with his shot selection in the last few innings. Asked whether India’s premier batsman is banking on his batting skills to go all guns blazing for every ball, Shastri said it could be the other way round. “I think he will be disappointed with his shot selection in the last few innings. He has played shots which he could have avoided,” Shastri told during lunch on Day I of the second Test against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens here on Friday. “It can also be the other way round. If you’re out of form, you tend to get on quickly. You look for boundaries to build your confidence and search for a boundary early on,” he added.
Moreover he also voiced his concerns about the three-year ‘cooling off’ period proposed by Lodha Committee, stating that it would refrain former cricketers from joining BCCI administration. Shastri feels that an administrator should get a minimum six-year term and made it clear that a huge country like India requires “five selectors”, and not three, as recommended by the Supreme Court constituted Lodha panel. Besides commentating, the former captain is here as part of celebrations for India’s 500th Test match. Not one to mince words, Shastri made it clear that no good intentioned former cricketer would join administration if compulsory cooling off period is set in place.
“I think there needs to be dialogue between both parties. Efforts should be made in this regard and let it not be a boxing bout,” Shastri told Sanjay Manjrekar during an interaction. “Why would I join BCCI if there’s cooling off period? If I have an idea which is constructive and which I can do, I mean you are telling me to go in three years. What would anyone achieve in three years? How do you know the guy coming after me is competent enough?,” he asked. “If I have done a competent job, then I should be respected for my competence. There is no harm if I get a six- year term. Then go for three-year cooling off and come back for another six years. Even Indian presidential candidate gets five years.”
