Sourav Ganguly : Ravi Shastri is living in a fool's world

The controversy began after Sourav Ganguly was absent from the meeting room at the time of Shastri's interview for the role of India coach. While the other three members of the panel Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Sanjay Jagdale had conducted the interview, Ganguly was not present. Ganguly, who is also the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), had clarified that CAB’s working committee meeting was held at the same time and that he attended the meeting between 5 and 6pm before re-joining the Cricket Advisory Committee at 6.30pm.

But Shastri had taken offence to the ex-Indian skipper's absence saying, “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," reported IANS.

Also read - Sourav Ganguly was disrespectful to me and process: Ravi Shastri

This appears to have set off Ganguly, who has until now maintained an aloof stance. Earlier, Dada had skirted the issue saying, “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 (cricket) advisory committee”.

But now, Ganguly has come out strongly to Shastri's comments retorting that Shastri should have been physically present for the interview instead of holidaying in Thailand.

"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," the former Kolkata batsman said, according to a report on CNN News 18 channel.

Ganguly also expressed his frustration and disappointment at being at the receiving end of such blows from a person of Shastri's experience and standing.

Also read - Ravi Shastri : Ask Sourav Ganguly what problem he has with me

Ganguly said, "I am extremely saddened and disappointed by Ravi Shastri's comments...I was reading it in couple of newspapers in last three to four days but chose to ignore it. Especially from someone who has been in BCCI committee for the last 20 years," reported News18.

The CAB President, not one to mince words, also took offence to Shastri's hints that he was, somehow, responsible for Shastri being given the cold shoulder ignoring his work with the Indian team for the past two years.

Ganguly added, "I feel that the comments are very personal. He is living in a fools world if he thinks he is not the coach of India because of me. There are people who are more reputed in the committee than I am."