Shastri defends giving interview through skype from Bangkok

After Shastri had questioned Ganguly about his absence during the India coach interview, Ganguly had hit back at the former about his commitment to the process when he could not even appear in person.

"He has given me an advice that next time when there is such meeting, I should be present. I also have an advice for him. When the coach of India is selected, he should be in front of the committee giving his presentation, instead of spending Holiday in Bangkok," Ganguly had retorted.

It was Shastri's turn yesterday to defend himself as the ex-India batsman described the communication he received from the BCCI prior to the selection interview. Stating that the entire series of events were in short notice, Shastri pointed out that the BCCI had explicitly allowed the option of skype calls and that foreign applicants had anyway given the interview over skype.

"I got communication from the BCCI on the 19th (June) that the interview is on the 21st (June). I had left for Thailand on the 15th. No one knew at that time when the interview would be," Shastri was quoted as saying according to a report in ET Panache.

And their mail categorically said that since it (the interview call) is at short notice I could make myself available on Skype at a particular time.

Shastri

"I was out of the country and the BCCI did give me the option of Skype. Besides, Tom Moody and some other candidates did the interview on Skype. What's the difference? In this day and age, half the world operates on video-conferencing," he explained.

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