The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not happy with Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly’s spat over the appointment of Anil Kumble as the Indian national team head coach.
Kumble, who is former Indian captain and has taken more than 900 wickets for India, was the most strong contender among the 57 applicants.
Till Thursday evening, the BCCI had refrained from commenting on the ugly and rather personal exchange of fire between Shastri and Sourav.
However, finally, BCCIsecretary Ajay Shirke reacted.
“Both Ravi and Sourav are dear friends of mine and enjoy high respect in the fraternity. However, they’re behaving like boys in a toy shop… I do hope Ravi and Sourav quickly move on, putting an end to their public exchange of words,” Shirke told The Telegraph-Kolkata.
Shastri was the strong contender for the post but Kumble’s application has changed the equation. Shastri was the director of the team until March 31.
Ten candidates were in the fray for the selection, finally, Kumble was selected by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which was comprised of Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, and Sachin Tendulkar.
After taking the interview Ganguly left the interview board saying that he has to attend the CAB meeting. Shastri revealed that when he came online from Thailand he found Ganguly was not there on the interview board.
After a couple of days, Ganguly appeared to answer Shastri’s outburst.
Angry Ganguly questioned Shastri’s willingness to be the Indian team’s head coach alleging that he was “holidaying on the beaches” when “ high profile meeting” had been scheduled in Calcutta.
On the other hand, Kumble came in Kolkata from Bangalore to attend the interview and showed how he will help India to excel in every format of the game till the 2019 World Cup.
The next World Cup is an absolute priority for every team.
Ganguly unleashed another missile, “He should have shown a bit more maturity… If Ravi Shastri feels that Sourav Ganguly was responsible for him not being the head coach, he is living in a fool’s world.”
Now, it is expected that both Shastri and Sourav will heed Shirke’s very sensible advice. Kumble who has never involved in any controversy become a focal point of the nasty brawl.