Putting to rest the speculations about his tenure as the director of the Indian cricket team, former all-rounder Ravi Shastri said he is going to stay for a “longer time” than it is thought of.
“I might stay for a longer time than you think,” Shastri said in Kolkata.
Though said in jest when the media pressed for his comment on a situation where the post of the head coach is still lying vacant, Shastri sought to end the talk with the assertion that there are “enough coaching staff in the cupboard” and the team has no immediate requirement of a head coach.
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“Speculation, perceptions, that is your problem and not mine. As far as the question of coach is concerned, we don’t need one right now. “I will double up as the head coach and do the job as and when needed. There already are three coaches in the side,” he said.
When asked about the future of his current position, Shastri said he will discuss that with BCCI after the team returns from the tour of Bangladesh. Quizzed about the level of motivation his team will have when playing a lower-ranked side like Bangladesh, Shastri said: “We respect every opponent and Bangladesh is another opponent.”
Shastri welcomed the return of seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to the Indian test team.
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“We welcome Harbhajan back in the side. He is a good performer and will bring quality into the game,” he said.
The Indian team director also hailed the appointment of legendary batsman Rahul Dravid as the new coach of the youth sides — India ‘A’ and under-19.
“I have already spoken to Rahul. There cannot be a bigger champion to take charge of the juniors. Coming in as a frank and honest man, he has a lot to contribute to the development of Indian cricket,” Shastri said.