Indian cricket team's coaching staff in a fix

Ravi Shastri is set to join the Indian squad on August 8

Colombo, Aug 5 (IANS)

India's coaching staff is in a fix ahead of a busy season as team director Ravi Shastri's three assistants are reportedly yet to be given their contracts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Shastri is set to join the squad on August 8, four days prior to the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, but it appears the BCCI is still waiting to take a decision on his future, reports ESPNcricinfo.

India will play three Test matches in Sri Lanka

The BCCI promised extensions to Shastri, B. Arun (bowling coach), R. Sridhar (fielding coach) and Sanjay Bangar (batting coach) but no such deals have been made yet.

Reportedly Shastri's extension delay comes for his perceived lack of commitment. He did not turn up for India's tour to Zimbabwe and then signed up as a pundit for broadcaster Sky Sports for the Ashes. He also skipped the initial phase of the Sri Lankan tour.

The BCCI has, however, not been critical of Shastri with secretary Anurag Thakur saying he had informed the board about his unavailability for the Zimbabwe tour "well in advance".

However, his absence from the touring party to Sri Lanka has raised doubts about his commitment among some BCCI office bearers. Several board members say it has sent out a wrong signal.

BCCI is yet to officially comment on the issue.