In new twist, Ganguly reveals Shastri was offered batting coach role

The war of words between the two had erupted after Shastri had criticized Sourav for not being in the room when his interview was conducted. Shastri initially said, “It's nothing to do with Sourav, but I am disappointed because that person was disrespectful of the candidate who was going to be interviewed and disrespectful of the job he was entrusted to do".

Ganguly had hit back on Shastri by pointing out that he was absent for his interview to such an important post. Ganguly said, “If Ravi thinks because of me that he is not the coach of Team India, then he is living in a fool’s world. Ravi has made a personal attack which was not expected and is very saddening. I say this with anger that my counter piece of advice to Shastri is that he should have been present physically and not holidaying in Bangkok for such an important event”.

It took some inter-mediation before the issue settled down.

Now Ganguly has revealed that, amid all this, Shastri was indeed offered the role of the batting coach which he has evidently refused.

"Yes, we offered Ravi the Indian team's batting coach post," Ganguly was quoted as saying by Mid-Day on Friday. Sanjay Bangar was appointed later as the batting coach although it is only for the duration of the West Indies tour.

On the issue of a bowling coach, Ganguly said, "It is Anil's prerogative. Since he is a bowler, maybe, he did not appoint a bowling coach. I also have read in the newspapers that he may rope in pace bowling coach later. Let me stress that Sachin and Laxman have no role in appointing Anil's assistant coaches," he said.

Ganguly added, "I have no knowledge about this (Zaheer Khan being a likely candidate). BCCI will have to see whether Zaheer is available for 365 days or not," reported Mid-day.