Published: Jul 13, 2017, 02:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 13, 2017, 02:36 PM (IST)
The head coach of the Indian team and his appendages have been announced. However, what is still not confirmed is the salary Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan will be getting for their roles. Anil Kumble, former coach of Team India, had asked for a steep salary hike for himself, all centrally contracted players and the other members of the coaching staff. However, the salary for Ravi Shastri and his new team has not been yet finalised.
According to a candidate who was interviewed for the head coach role, the salary part was not even discussed during his interview with Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). “It was not even discussed during my interview with the CAC. It is generally not discussed at the interviews. The normal procedure is that the CEO speaks to the preferred candidate and make offer and get his acceptance. They’d normally resolve before the announcement to ensure candidate accepts terms and they get sign off.” ALSO READ: CAC picked the right person as India coach after discussion with Kohli, says Ganguly
Meanwhile, the candidates who were not selected have wished Ravi Shastri all the best for his new role.
“Well, you don’t enter a race to lose. I would have been excited had they offered me the job. [But] this is life. I wish him well”, Richard Pybus, speaking from South Africa, said.
“Excellent”, said Lance Klusener when informed about Shastri’s appointment. “May be next time”, he said when asked about his possible involvement with the Indian team. Klusener is Zimbabwe’s batting coach and was busy in the 5th ODI against Sri Lanka, which Zimbabwe won. Even though he had applied for the post, he was not invited for the Skype interview which was on the same day.
“I am not disappointed but would have been happy even if they had considered me for the fast bowling role,” said Dodda Ganesh, who had also applied for the post but was not invited for the interview. BCCI has chosen Zaheer Khan, who had not even applied for the post of bowling coach. “Anyhow, good luck to Ravi Shastri.”
Phil Simmons was shortlisted for the interview but for some unknown reason the interview did not go ahead. Simmons was in England at that time and could have joined on Skype from England like Ravi Shastri and Lalchand Rajput. When asked about why he was not interviewed, he “chose not to answer that question”.
“I am sure Sehwag, now holidaying in Canada (till July 18) with the family, is not disappointed,” said Virender Sehwag’s childhood coach AN Sharma. “He is a guy who will not take disappointment to his heart. When he was not being picked by the selectors for the Indian team, I was disappointed but he wasn’t. I must add here that the questions must be asked to Sachin Tendulkar on what basis he asked Shastri to apply for the post”.
Upendra Nath Brahmachari, an engineer with no known cricket background who had surprisingly applied for the position, said: “My aim was to protest against Kohli’s hand in removing Kumble and therefore I had applied for the post. My question is, Ravi Shastri was an all-rounder. Why does he need specialist coaches in bowling and batting? If Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid are needed in bowling and batting, why Shastri then? “Now I will apply for the team manager’s post…”
