With Ravi Shastri being appointed as the director of the Indian cricket team, the days of current chief coach Duncan Fletcher seems to be numbered as there is a question mark about his presence during the upcoming home series against the West Indies.
“Duncan has no powers left whatsoever. Ravi will be calling the shots and Duncan knows it only too well. At this point of time, with no choice of support staff, Duncan will have to take a back seat. If Duncan wants to leave before the next home series against West Indies, the Board will not stop him,” a senior BCCI office-bearer told PTI on condition of anonymity.
When the official was asked if Fletcher has indicated about quitting, he said, “The BCCI has send him enough feelers that he is not required!”
“Ravi and Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be involved in strategising. Sanjay (Bangar) has proven credentials and knows the younger members of the side. The current crop of fast bowlers have worked at NCA under Arun. So tell me what shall Duncan bring to the table? If he can read between the lines, then he can tender his resignation and it will be accepted,” the official added.
Once the England series is over, the Indian team members will disperse to play in the Champions League T20 for those franchises which have qualified for the event.
The home series against West Indies will kick off from October 8 with the ODIs and Fletcher will be on leave before that series.
“There are still doubts as to whether he (Fletcher) will be present in the Indian dressing room during that series. In any case, India will be favourites at home and that is the time when the new team director and the new support staff will be able to know the players better before the tour of Australia,” the official said.
Fletcher’s contract with the BCCI is till the end of the 2015 World Cup but there is an exit clause which will ensure his smooth removal from the top job.
It is also learnt that Rahul Dravid’s name was also discussed but he was not too keen on a full-time role that requires extensive travelling leaving a young family behind.
The official said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s name did not crop up when the BCCI’s executive functionaries discussed about the new support staff.
“There have been no discussions as such about Dhoni’s future as of now,” he said.
