OdishaLIVE Bureau

Ravi Shastri is the man for all seasons and he pipping up nine other candidates – Sehwag, Moody, Pybus, Ganesh, Rajput, Klusener and Sharma – is not surprising.

Finally Ravi Shastri became the head coach of the Indian cricket team after so many denials by the BCCI.The cricket advisory  committee (CAC)consisting of Saurav Ganguli, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman put the seal of approval on Shastri’s appointment.As it transpires now,there isn’t a single reason behind this selection.There are in fact several reasons.

Kohli’s Choice
Even before the Champions Trophy, Team India’s captain Virat Kohli had made his choice known to the BCCI.He wanted to see Ravi Shastri as the head coach. In fact,Kohli has only  returned the gesture. It may be recalled that it  was Shastri who had  advocated for Kohli’s captainship.

Sachin’s Recommendation
Besides Kohli, Master-blaster Sachin Tendulkar recommendation too worked in Shastri’s favour. Initially, Shastri hadn’t applied for the job. It was on Sachin’s pressure that Shastri sent in his CV. But in the CAC ,while Sachin wanted Shastri to become coach,Saurav was against this choice.

Laxman’s Role
In the CAC,Saurav batted for Virendra Sehwag for the coachship.The other selector Laxman’s choice was however Tom Moody. Moody had made a nice presentation before the selectors on  the selection day. Logically speaking,if Laxman had insisted on Moody,perhaps Saurav would have gone with Laxman. But a small word from Sachin to Laxman changed the game and Shastri became the final choice.

Shastri’s Rappo
Ravi Shastri in any case had a good rapport with many of the players in Team India.Shastri had a good connect with the players in previous occasions when he was made the team’s manager and later on director. Shastri personally knew many old and new players.So,his choice as head coach was a foregone conclusion.

Then, Ravi Shastri is the man for all seasons and he pipping up nine other candidates – Sehwag, Moody, Pybus, Ganesh, Rajput, Klusener and Sharma – is not surprising.

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