Ravi Shastri Reveals How Was Head Coach Selection Process
Aug 19, 2019 at 10:50 AM
Ravi Shastri has retained his head coach position of the Indian national cricket team for the next two years. Apart from the four other shortlisted candidates, Shastri also brought the presentation in front of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) members during the recent interview process. Talking about his experience in the recent interview, Shastri claimed that it was a tough process.
On last Friday (16th August), the CAC interviewed the shortlisted candidates to choose the next head coach of the Indian cricket team. Apart from the head coach Shastri, the other shortlisted candidates for that interview were Mike Hesson, Tom Moody, Phil Simmons, Robin Singh and Lalchand Rajput. However, Simmons later pulled out himself from this race.
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At the end of that interview, the CAC ranked Shastri on top while Hesson and Moody were in the next two positions. The BCCI has finally decided to extend the contract of Ravi Shastri as the head coach. He will remain in this position till the end of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
The selection process was tough – Ravi Shastri
As Ravi Shastri is currently with the Indian team in the ongoing Caribbean tour, he appeared in the interview via Skype. Speaking about the selection process for the head coach role, Shastri felt it was tough. He had to present some crucial data analysis to clarify his role in a better way.
Shastri told TOI, “The selection process was tough. They had their share of questions. There was a presentation that featured all aspects. Much as it [the presentation] was individual-specific.
“Data is something that got crunched a lot. For instance, over the last two years, India have won 71% of their matches across formats. There have been accomplishments, disappointments, learning curves. How to increase that margin, improve title-winning percentages, focus on individual growth – all of this weighs in as we look forward.”
The CAC members later claimed that it was a close competition. Anshuman Gaekwad, a CAC member, revealed that Shastri’s familiarity with the entire system provided an advantage for him.
Indian head coach also revealed the reaction of the Indian cricketers
Ravi Shastri also added that the Indian cricketers were very happy with his head coach retention news.
Shastri claimed, “They were very happy. The boys walked up to me and conveyed what they felt and there was a general sense of agreement that we’ve got to buckle up once again and start looking forward. They know the challenges that lie ahead and they’re eager to counter them.”
Before the ongoing away tour, the Indian captain Virat Kohli supported Shastri for the head coach role.
In the ongoing tour, India have already whitewashed Windies in the three-match T20I series (3-0) and also won the three-match ODI series (2-0).
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India will now play the two-match Test series against the host side Windies from 22nd August to 3rd September. This Test series will be the opening Test series for both these sides in the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship.