Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has revealed Rahul Dravid had agreed to be batting consultant before having a talk with Ravi Shastri. In fact, the Cricket Advisory Committee had given roles of batting and bowling consultant to Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan respectively.
Meanwhile, later both the talisman players didn’t take up the role. Rahul Dravid is currently the coach of India A and Under-19 team. However, Sanjay Bangar is currently the batting coach of the team.
Sourav Ganguly targets Ravi Shastri again.
On the other hand, Ganguly said he don’t know what was the chat between Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. However, the Wall decided to turn down the offer after agreeing with the role.
In fact, Ravi Shastri had revealed Rahul Dravid has turned down the offer. Dravid had said he has commitments with the India A and Under-19 team.
“Rahul Dravid had been asked to become a batting consultant and he had even agreed. But then he spoke to Ravi and I don’t know what happened after that. The Committee of Administrators also had added to the confusion with the coach selection and we were tired and just got out of it. So it’s difficult for me to say why Rahul Dravid did not become the batting consultant. But if Ravi Shastri was given the responsibility, after consulting Virat Kohli, then he has to fulfill that responsibility and improve the team,” Ganguly said while talking to the IndiaTV.
Meanwhile, CoA head Vinod Rai said the CAC’s role was to pick only the head coach after Anil Kumble’s controversial departure. However, there was no clause to appoint the batting and bowling consultant.
This could be interesting.
“Anil Kumble had a one-year contract. It had no renewal or extension clause. When the CoA took over, we got to know a month later that his contract was expiring and we followed the protocol that was followed during his appointment. The idea was to select the head coach by the CAC — comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman. Transparency requires you to follow a process and the due process throws up a result.
“The CAC was the entrusted body and they did what they felt was best. It wasn’t an unceremonious exit as his contract was only for a year. We made no statements on Zaheer Khan or Rahul Dravid’s appointments. Our job was to select the head coach through the due process,” he clarified.
Sourav Ganguly is bringing up some interesting story which may have happened behind the scenes. In fact, CAC gave the team management of Shastri’s choice.