Shastri miffed at not making the cut : Ravi Shastri has been with Team India for close to two years as Director (read ‘Coach’) until the completion of the ICC World T20 Championship.

Although he was the Director of the Team during the tenure of Duncan Fletcher as the Coach, there was no Coach officially appointed Fletcher left and, quite logically, Shastri donned the Coach’s hat, thought not officially announced.

When BCCI set out to find a new coach for the team, advertisement was inserted in the dailies and applications poured in. As many as 50 applications were received and Shastri also had applied. Anil Kumble’s application was the last one to have been received.

BCCI shortlisted 21 of them and sent to the Cricket Advisory Committee, consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sanjay Jagdale, as the convenor.

After interviewing the candidates, the CAC sent their recommendations to the President, BCCI, who finally announced the appointment of Anil Kumble as the Head Coach for Team India, albeit for one year.

The decision definitely has not gone down well with Ravi Shastri, who having been with the team for a significant period of time and having done reasonably well, might have wanted to carry forward the good work.

Shastri has gelled very well with the team and even the Test skipper, Virat Kohli, threw his weight around Shastri.

Well, a deeper analysis reveals the fact the one of the CAC member, Saurav Ganguly was not present at the time Ravi was interviewed.

Ganguly, as honcho of Cricket Association of Bengal, possibly had to attend a Working Committee meeting and hence had to miss the interview.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Shatri said, “If he (Ganguly) was present, he would have asked some questions. I wish he was there.”

However, according to BCCI sources, Ganguly was kept in the loop and was also briefed about the interview with Shastri, after he (Ganguly) returned to the interview process.

Speaking to Indian Express, on this development, Saurav Ganguly said, “The (coach selection) interview is absolutely confidential. I don”t want to talk about Shastri”s comment. You should also ask the other members of the advisory committee.”

Quite logically Shastri disappointed at the lost opportunity and also expressed hope that Anil would be successful in furthering the good work already done.