Will be very happy to see Shastri continuing as coach, asserts Virat Kohli

A three-person Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of former India captain Kapil Dev, former India batsman and coach Anshuman Gaekwad, and former India women's captain Shanta Rangaswamy have been entrusted with the responsibility of choosing Indian coach which is likely to be announced by mid-August. When Kohli was asked about his personal preference, in no uncertain words he endorsed Ravi Shastri for continuing as the head coach. 

"With Ravi bhai, all of us have a great camaraderie, everyone in the team shares mutual respect [with him]. And we have done really well together as a group," Kohli said at the pre-departure press conference for the tour of USA and West Indies, reported Cricinfo. 

"Yeah, we will definitely be very happy if he is continuing as a coach, but as I said it is upon the CAC to seek my advice or opinion if they want. Right now, I haven't been contacted at all. And I don't know what is going to happen with the process. The CAC hasn't contacted me yet. If they tell me we want your opinion, yes, I'll definitely go and speak to them."

Despite his wretched run of form which has extended over two years now, Rahane has continued to find a place in the Indian Test side and will travel to Windies as the deputy to Virat Kohli. His selection has been under fire for some time now but Kohli backed him to “come around” very soon.

"Jinks has been a solid player for us through and through and that's always been our communication. He is one of the most sorted guys. Really, really composed, reads the game well also, priceless fielder, we have all seen the impact he can make in Test cricket with his slip catching and everything. 

“I think under pressure, he has performed really well. The guy averages 43 (40.55) in Test cricket, it's not like he is in the early 30s. I don't think we should jump the gun on someone like Jinks because he has done the job for you under pressure,” the Indian skipper said.