BCCI has cracked the whip in the aftermath of the disastrous Test series against England by making changes; says Team India will be re-energised under former skipper Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cracked the whip in the aftermath of the disastrous Test series against England by making changes in the support staff for the India team for the five-match ODI series against England commencing next week.
Ravi Shastri
Asked about these changes, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said, "something had to be done. It's not as if our boys are poor players."
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He said that the Indian team will be re-energised under Ravi Shastri, who has been appointed as the Team Director for the ODI series against England.
"We are quite sure that the boys will be re-energised under the guidance of Shastri. His on-the-field and off-the-field knowledge will be very helpful to to bring the team back into the game," the BCCI secretary said.
"Since last two weeks BCCI is discussing the entire issue. As a combination of much debate and discussion yesterday, the decision was taken to appoint Shastri," said Patel.
"We were all very concerned. The team's performance was disturbing. I first spoke to Shastri, then to the captain (Mahendra Singh Dhoni), the coach (Duncan Fletcher) and the two others (Bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach Trevor Penny) and informed them about our decision," Patel said.
BCCI has also given break to the bowling coach Joe Dawes and the fielding coach, Trevor Penny, for the one-day series and appointed Sanjay Bangar, former Indian all-rounder, and former India fast bowler Bharat Arun as the Asst. coaches of the team. "At the moment, two other coaches have also been replaced by three Indian coaches as you know. This will obviously bring some fresh air into the team," he said
The Board put Shastri in charge of the team's affairs during the one-day series while retaining Fletcher as the chief coach and also asked the two assistant coaches to take a break during the five-game rubber commencing on August 25 at Bristol after a warm-up game on August 22 at Lord's. "As Director, it's up to Shastri what to do and what not to do," the BCCI Secretary maintained.
"In culmination of the discussions among all the office-bearers of the BCCI over the last couple of weeks, the BCCI has decided to avail the services of former India captain, Mr Ravi Shastri, to oversee and guide the Indian cricket team for the forthcoming one-day international matches against England," a press release issued by the BCCI said.
"Mr. Duncan Fletcher will continue as Head Coach while Ravi Shastri will be the overall in-charge of Cricket affairs of the Indian Team."
The support staff will have a more Indian look with Kings XI Punjab chief coach Sanjay Bangar, India U-19 coach Bharath Arun and colts fielding coach R Sridhar being roped in place of Dawes and Penny.
Asked about Shastri's tenure as Team India Director, Patel said it will be "till the end of the series (which will go on till first week of September)."
"We will then have the reports of the captain, coach, manager and Shastri to discuss and then BCCI will decide on the future," he added.
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