Ravi Shastri named director of cricket for India's upcoming ODI series against England

Ravi Shastri (L) has been named director of cricket for the ODI series

A few key changes have been made to the Indian support staff for their forthcoming One Day International (ODI) series against England, which begins on August 25. India’s humiliating defeats to the home team in the just-concluded Test series have, once again, raised questions on the roles of Duncan Fletcher, Joe Dawes and Trevor Penney.

The changes made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), albeit for only this ODI series, clearly indicate that the board is unhappy with recent results and is closely monitoring the contributions of the current coaching staff.

Press release

While Fletcher will continue in his role as the head coach, both Dawes and Penny, bowling and fielding coaches respectively, have been given a break from the one-day series. Ravi Shastri has been appointed as the director of cricket and will "oversee and guide the Indian cricket team", according to a BCCI press release.

It further said: "In their continuing efforts to re-energise the support to the team, the BCCI has given a break to the bowling coach Mr Joe Dawes and the fielding coach, Mr Trevor Penny for the one day series and appointed Mr Sanjay Bangar, former Indian all rounder and former India fast bowler Mr Bharat Arun as the Asst. coaches of the team. Mr R.Sridhar will join the support team as the fielding coach for the one day series."

Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar, who took Kings XI Punjab to the finals of the Indian Premier League 7 in his first stint as a coach of a high profile team, recently, and former India fast bowler Bharat Arun have been appointed the assistant coaches of the team, while R Sridhar will take up the mantle of fielding coach.