INDIA'S COACHES CONUNDRUM

Dravid, Zaheer roles not confirmed as confusion ensues

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Confusion within BCCI has put their roles on hold (Image: Delhi Daredevils) © Cricbuzz (with inputs from agencies)

The roles of Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan as overseas batting and bowling consultant respectively are not confirmed, as the names were only recommendations made by Cricket Advisory Committee, consisting of Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar.

The chairman of Committee of Administratiors (CoA), which was appointed by the Supreme Court to bring the BCCI house in order, Vinod Rai was quoted by ANI saying that the CoA has to act upon the said recommendations, in consultation with head coach Ravi Shastri.

"For further coaches and others, (we) must have discussions with Ravi Shastri. Then we set up a committee of Diana (Edulji), acting president (CK Khanna), secretary (Amitabh Choudhary) and CEO (Rahul Johri) as the convener," Rai added.

Along with naming Shastri as the head coach, the CAC also put forth names of Dravid and Zaheer in consultant roles, but the degree of their involvement was yet to be known. A day after his appointment, Shastri welcomed the move of appointing experienced players like Dravid and Zaheer in such roles but explained in no uncertain terms that he should get a call on who will be part of his full-time support staff.

"BCCI can certainly bring in guys like Zaheer and Dravid as consultants from time to time. Their experience is invaluable. But as far as a full-time support is concerned, I will need to decide on the team because it is me who will be working with them over the next two years," Shastri said in an interview.

CK Khanna meanwhile, confirmed the formation of the four-member committee. "Received communication that four-member committee formed with Rahul Johri as convener. First meeting on 18th in Mumbai," he said.

These new developments come completely contrary to what was announced by BCCI on July 11. A media release then, signed by Secretary Amitabh Choudhary, read, "The BCCI announces the appointment of Mr. Ravi Shastri as the Head Coach, Mr. Zaheer Khan as the Bowling Consultant and Mr. Rahul Dravid who will be the Overseas Batting Consultant (Test cricket) for the Indian Cricket Team."

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