BCCI puts all coaches’ contracts on hold, suspense on Zaheer’s name

07/14/2017

The confusion over the Team India coach selections appears never-ending with the Committee of Administrators now putting the contract drafts for the three on hold. It also appears bowling coach Zaheer Khan may miss out if new head coach Ravi Shastri has his way over having Bharat Arun for the job.

The Cricket Advisory Committee, which includes the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman, confirmed Shastri as Team India's head coach and announced that Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid would act in the roles of the bowling coach and as a batting consultant respectively. But, recent reports indicate that Shastri wants Bharat Arun, who held the position during the Shastri's tenure as team director from 2014 to 2016, as the bowling coach, reported ToI.

"The BCCI's legal team was working on the contracts. But the CoA asked us to first show them the drafts. Given the situation, it does look like Shastri's wish to have Bharat Arun as a full-time bowling coach will be accepted. And the way the contract is likely to shape, it will be difficult for Zaheer to accept the role of a consultant on a tour-to-tour basis," a top BCCI official told TOI.

"It will be an internal meeting and they said they will discuss the quantum of payment," the source added.

The BCCI had earlier also stated that Zaheer’s proposed role was only on a tour-to-tour basis which was a departure from their earlier stance leading credence to the recent developments that may see Zaheer left out of the top team.

The main concern for Shastri appears to be Zaheer’s availability around the year for overseas tours.

"Is Zaheer willing to give 250 days a year to the team? He can come in and help Arun whenever required. Arun will be around with the team all the time and Shastri trusts his work," a source told the publication on Thursday.

"This was specifically the reason why the CAC wanted some time before announcing the coaches. They wanted to have everyone on board. But the CoA got involved and rushed the announcement," the unnamed official added.

Shastri will appear for a meeting with Supreme Court-appointed CoA on Monday where he is expected to discuss the issue.