Ravi Shastri named Indian cricket team’s head coach, Zaheer Khan bowling coach

Ravi Shastri was confirmed as India head coach after a 48-hour long drama late on Tuesday. Former India pacer Zaheer Khan will be the bowling coach while Rahul Dravid, who is also the India A and U-19 coach, will be batting consultant on overseas Test tours.

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The term of the appointments will be till the World Cup 2019.

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The confirmation is surprising as earlier in the day acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary had rubbished reports that claimed Shastri had been appointed coach. Choudhary had said the CAC was still deliberating and “until they apprise us of the decision, I cannot comment on this matter.”

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This came a day after Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member and former captain Sourav Ganguly sought more time to decide on the issue at a press conference at BCCI’s Cricket Centre in Mumbai originally scheduled to announce Anil Kumble’s successor.

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As candidates, Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody had strong backing and credentials going into Monday’s meeting before the press conference but it seems like Shastri’s comfortable rapport with India captain Virat Kohli has trumped all that.

“Ravi Shastri has been the Team Director in the past, and brings with him a wealth of experience, both as player and as coach,” BCCI’s press release stated.

“Zaheer is a contemporary cricketer who assumed the mentoring role to a young fast bowling unit even during his playing days with India. His inputs will be of immense value to our young fast bowlers, who have shown tremendous potential in the last couple of years.

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“As the Indian team is to play Test cricket overseas in the next two years, Rahul Dravid’s expertise as batting consultant will be immensely helpful for youngsters.

“The Board appreciates the contribution of the Cricket Advisory Committee – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman for recommending these appointments which will take Indian Cricket to greater heights.”

Initially, Shastri had not applied for the post but when the BCCI extended the deadline for applications till July 9 , the former skipper jumped into the fray and became the hot favourite.

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India were without a head coach after Anil Kumble withdrew from the application process post the Champions Trophy, citing his relationship with the skipper as ‘untenable’.

Ravi Shastri was Indian cricket’s team director from their tour of England in 2014 to the 2016 ICC World T20, where India lost to eventual champions West Indies in the semi-final.

Shastri – a veteran of 80 Tests and 150 ODIs – was also team India’s manager during their Bangladesh tour in 2007.