CAC hurt with the perception of forcing Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid's appointment on Ravi Shastri
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) have expressed their disappointment over the ongoing perception that they forced Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid's appointment on newly appointed coach Ravi Shastri. The trio also called on Vinod Rai to clear the air on the falsehood of the narratives.
The CAC trio of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman named Ravi Shastri as the head coach, vacated by Anil Kumble while also announcing Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid's among the coaching staff as the bowling and batting consultants, respectively, with the latter specifically for overseas tours.
However, according to reports, CoA was unhappy with CAC's decision of naming additional bowling and batting consultants along with the head coach and apparently Ravi Shastri was forced upon with these appointments without being consulted.
Ganguly, Tendulkar, and Laxman wrote a letter addressed to CoA chairman Vinod Rai and BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary expressing their disappointment at reports doing rounds in the media and requested them to clear the air on the same.
The members expressed their goodwill for the Indian cricket at the start of the letter, while also mentioning how the recent reports have hurt them.
"You will be aware that we put our heart and soul into the process, approaching a task made delicate by the recent developments with a clear head and with sole aim of providing Indian team with best resources possible to become world beaters they are capable of being. It has both pained and disappointed us, therefore, to see the light in which the CAC has been portrayed in the media," the email read, as reported by TOI.
The CAC further clarified that both Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli were in the loop about the appointment of the duo for their respective roles.
"We spoke to Mr Shastri about getting Mr Khan and Mr Dravid on board in these capacities, and he readily agreed to the idea of having them in the set-up so that it would benefit the team and Indian cricket as a whole in time to come. It was only after getting Mr Shastri's consent that we also recommended Mr Khan and Mr Dravid, in their respective capacities," the email added.
"There have been suggestions that the CAC has exceeded its ambit in going with Mr Khan and Mr Dravid and these two legends of Indian cricket have been foisted on the head coach... we did inform you (Rai) over the phone along with Rahul Johri and Amitabh Choudhary of all that transpired immediately after the meeting was over."
When questioned about the mail Ganguly replied,"Yes. All three of us have sent this
The trio urged CoA chairman Vinod Rai to come out in public and back the CAC against the false reports that are doing rounds.
"The three of us played our cricket with great integrity, and we have brought that same trait in fulfilling this important responsibility bestowed upon us by the BCCI. While we are not looking for plaudits, we do not appreciate the tone and the falsehoods of the narratives."
Following the mail, BCCI released a statement backing CAC's choices of batting and bowling consultants.