Team Director Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying last week that everyone will report to him but in Bristol, Dhoni says that head coach Duncan Fletcher will call the shots
Team India director Ravi Shastri (left) and head coach Duncan Fletcher observe a net session ahead of the first one-day international at Bristol yesterday. (Inset) MS Dhoni Pics/Bipin Patel
Bristol: Ending speculation about coach Duncan Fletcher's role in the five one-dayers against England, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said yesterday that the Zimbabwean will stay as "boss" of the team until the 2015 World Cup.
Team India director Ravi Shastri (left) and head coach Duncan Fletcher observe a net session ahead of the first one-day international at Bristol yesterday. (Inset) MS Dhoni Pics/Bipin Patel
After the 1-3 Test debacle, Team India witnessed a major reshuffle on the coaching front with bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding consultant Trevor Penney forced to go on a break and BCCI appointing Ravi Shastri as the Team Director.
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But on the eve of the first ODI, Dhoni said that Fletcher is still the boss. "He will lead us into the World Cup," said Dhoni referring to the coach. "Also, he is still the boss. We have Ravi Shastri who will look into everything, but Fletcher is the boss.
It's not as if his powers or his position have been curtailed. I don t know what you feel from the outside, but operations still remain the same. We have a few other support staff coming into the dressing room, but overall the operation remains the same."
Big changes
After taking over his director's role, Shastri did mention that the new coaching staff, including Fletcher, will report to him during the limited-overs series.
Dhoni clarified that Shastri's role is more of a manager. "Ravi is here to oversee the operations from the outside, what he feels and everything else.
It's good to have him. He is a very proud (former) Indian cricketer, and at the same time, very positive. He believes a lot in fighting and having the right instincts, going over and giving his hundred percent. It is obviously good to have him. He also speaks the same language and can interact a lot with the players.
"Same is the case with other support staff so it is good to have them here," said Dhoni. When asked if he was happy with the timing of the changes, he replied, "It's a bit tough on Trevor (Penney) and Joe (Dawes), especially when fielders drop catches and the fielding coach has to miss the series.
We are welcoming the new guys because that is very important. They will be part of the dressing room family as of now."
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