I applied ‘long back’, says Shastri

The Indian cricket circuit was abuzz on Monday with reports of Ravi Shastri applying for Team India’s head coach job. Shastri revealed that he had applied for the position ‘long back’.

Shastri has become the front-runner to become the team’s head coach, after he confirmed that he has responded to the BCCI’s advertisement inviting applications for the coveted post.

The Indian cricket circuit was abuzz on Monday with reports of Ravi Shastri applying for Team India’s head coach job. Shastri revealed that he had applied for the position ‘long back’.

Shastri has become the front-runner to become the team’s head coach, after he confirmed that he has responded to the BCCI’s advertisement inviting applications for the coveted post. “Long back,’’ replied the 55-year-old former India all-rounder through WhatsApp. Shastri took the option to apply, once the BCCI extended the deadline for applications to July 9.

More video interviews this time around?

Last July, former India captain and ace leg-spinner, Anil Kumble replaced Shastri (the then Team Director) as head coach, following a vision presentation and interview process, run through the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S.Laxman.

With Kumble out of the running now, the CAC is likely to go for Shastri.

Others who have applied for the coaching job are Virender Sehwag (he was asked by the BCCI and Kohli to apply), Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh, Tom Moody, and Richard Pybus. There are reports that Craig McDermott and Phil Simmons have also applied.